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1 Timothy 4:7

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women; On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

One thing I have been learning  about is the concept of discipline. Disciplining myself to prayer, to reading the word, to walking in righteousness, disciplining myself for the purpose of godliness. I have a long way to go though. Training myself in righteousness. But while learning about this one phrase came back to my mind that I’ve heard before. This is one of the reasons I left my old church actually. The phrase is, “Let go and let God”

Psh. Please.

The issue I have with it is this, the application of this quote would be, you have a problem with something, say a little pet sin in your life. The “Let Go Let God” standpoint would be to just give it up to God, not to worry about the sin and trust God to work it out. Essentially it takes out the personal responsibility in dealing with sin in your life. John Piper had a nice response to those people who mumble and grumble about sins in their life and don’t know what to do. He says, “MAKE WAR!“

As J.C. Ryle says in his work, Holiness, “Is it wise to proclaim in so bald, naked, and unqualified a way as many do, that holiness of converted people is by faith only, and not at all by personal exertion? Is it according to the proportion of God’s Word? I doubt it.”

I am talking about Sanctification, not Justification. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ’s righteousness alone. But the same Apostle that said we are justified by grace not by works also exhorts us to “…lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). To “…discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;” (1 Timothy 4:7). When dealing with sin in your life, the answer is not to simply lay back and don’t even fight against it. You wouldn’t say, Oh man…I have a problem with smoking…it’s a sin in my life… Oh well, just gotta let go and let God deal with it. A truly repentant, God-fearing heart would throw the cigarettes away, throw the lighter away, and do everything they can to not sin or be tempted to sin.

Mmm...Pie

Of course opponents to such a radical approach to fighting sin would say it’s akin to having a pie in the fridge and going, “I’m not gonna eat the pie, I’m not gonna eat the pie, I’m not gonna eat the pie!” And then eating the pie. However, if a person was truly fighting the desire to eat the pie, they would throw the pie away, or give it to the dogs, or leave the house, or do whatever they can to destroy the pie. In fact, that argument more accurately describes their way of dealing with sin. Standing right there in sin and temptation and not running or fighting against it.

Of course it’s not ALL of oursevles. God’s work of discipline and correcting His children is incredibly important and without His work in our life, all of our discipline and fighting is useless and vain. But like so many things in the Christian walk, it’s a walk on the edge of a razor. Depending on God, but striving and fighting for holiness.

So, go out and fight against sin and wrong in your life!
A bondslave of Christ,
Jacob