Discipline by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 21, 1906

Discipline

By L. A. S.

L. A. S.

DISCIPLINE is in the highest degree essential to success in life, and must include discipline of the spiritual as well as of the physical being. It is discipline that enables one to produce desired results. It is always discipline that enables a person to excel in any vocation. The skilled workman is one who has trained his hand, his eye, and his mind in his line of work by long and patient practise. The violinist has trained his arm and his fingers in like manner. Without such training, in the place of the most inspiring music there would be only rasping discords. With no skilled workmen, we should possess only the crude implements and dwellings of savages. All this reveals the value of discipline.

It is the disciplined army that wins battles and accomplishes the aims of its commander. A small body of disciplined troops can easily overcome a vast undisciplined mob.

Is it surprising then that discipline of the heart and soul should be appointed us by an all-wise Creator in this life? Is it surprising that discipline, severe and trying, should be necessary to fit us for the service of God? It is the disciplined souls through whom God accomplishes results. And those who refuse to submit to discipline, God can not use for his purpose. Therefore it is written: “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

“No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” “The peaceable fruit of righteousness”—that is the result God has in view, and it is attained through discipline. Without discipline we could produce nothing pleasing to God; we could render no acceptable service. The hewing and polishing of the stone is disagreeable, but without this there is no place for it in the heavenly temple.

“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” This is a most essential part of soul discipline. “In your patience possess ye your souls.” It is through patience that we endure trial. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” “Here is the patience of the saints.”