Reading Classics Together: The Discipline of Grace, Chapter 8

Dependent Discipline

This week’s reading for Tim Challies Reading Classics Together program was about the necessity of discipline and dependence in equal measure for growth in holiness.

If we are to make any progress in the pursuit of holiness, we must assume our responsibility to discipline or train ourselves. But we are to do all this in total dependence on the Holy Spirit to work in us and strengthen us with the strength that is in Christ.

First on the list of disciplines in the pursuit of holiness is the discipline of prayer, important because it expresses our dependence on the Holy Spirit. Here’s an excerpt of what Bridges writes about the discipline of prayer.

It is precisely because we are not endowed with a reservoir of strength that we need to pray daily for the Spirit’s enabling work in us. Holiness requires continual effort on our part and continual nourishing and strengthening by the Holy Spirit. Unless you plan to pray, however, and set aside a specific time to do it, you will find that you will not carry out your good intentions. So if you do not already have this practice, why not stop and make your plan now? I also find it helpful to write down on paper (for my eyes only) the specific sins I need help to deal with and the specific virtues of Christian character in which, as far as I can tell, I most need to grow.

In addition to prayer about sins in our lives and areas of character in which we need to grow, it is also good to pray that we will be kept from temptation (Matthew 6:13) and that we will be alert to and not be blindsided by temptation when it does come. Finally in our planned time of prayer, it is good to pray along the lines of Hebrews 13:21, that God will work in us what is pleasing to Him, for He knows far better than we what really needs to happen in our lives at any given time.

Next week’s reading is chapter 9, The Discipline of Commitment. 

Thankful Thursday

I’m thankful

• for the beautiful place where I live. 
• for a quiet day.
• for the energy to get some cleaning done. 
• for God’s help to finish two big projects since last Thankful Thursday.
• for Natalie’s first year of life. I’m thankful that God sustained her through that first day when her heart was not functioning as it should, when she had to be flown out to the children’s hospital. I’m thankful he sustained her through the rest of the year, too.
• that winter has Christmas and is followed by spring.
• that God spoke so I can know.

Round the Sphere Again: Lots More People You Should Know

A Swedish King
You can’t grow up in Minnesota without hearing the name Gustavus Adophus, but I hadn’t a clue who he was until I read this biographical sketch by Michael Haykin. It turns out he was a warrior king who helped preserve the Protestant reformation. Haykin sums his piece up this way:

The kingdom of God is not ushered in through force of military arms, but such wars as Gustavus fought—wars essentially for self-defence—are not ruled out by the Word of God, as a careful reading of passage like Romans 13 shows. The name of Gustavus Adolphus belongs with those of other military commanders like Oliver Cromwell, James Gardiner (1688-1745), Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), and T.J. Jackson (1824-1863)—men who loved the Lord Jesus and who did not feel their calling conflicted with their Christian faith.

(Credo Magazine)

A Leader of Forerunners
Robert Godfrey answers the question, “Who was Waldo?”

The Waldensians were … witnesses to the presence of Christ’s Word and Spirit in the church through the centuries. They gave expression to aspects of Apostolic religion that were threatened with extinction in the dominant church. They remind us that in every era, Christ fulfills His promise: “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”…

(Ligonier.org)

A Puritan Woman
A few quotes from Anne Dutton on pride (Theology for Girls). 

A Treasure Trove
of biographies. I’ve listened to all of these lectures over the years, and have recommended many of them in previous Round the Sphere or Recommended for Listening posts. Now Justin Taylor has linked them all in a single post, so you really have no excuse for not listening to them.