Bible Study Week 2 - Freedom and Death of the Disciplines

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 2 Freedom and Death of the Disciplines

Last week lesson we discussed the understanding and meaning of spiritual discipline. We briefly touched on the freedom of the disciplines because of the liberation. As we live with these freedoms we should not make them law binding and legalistic disciplines. We are a people who live by grace because of the freedom of the disciplines. The freedom of the discipline places us in the presence of God where God can transform us inwardly. “When we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination we are open to a wonderful new realization: inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received” (p. 6).

What does Foster means about righteous is a gift? The word righteousness according to Webster dictionary is “acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin”. “Righteousness is fulfillment of the expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people. It is applicable at all levels of society, and is relevant in every area of life. Therefore, righteousness denotes the fulfilled expectations in relationships between man and wife, parents and children, fellow citizens, employer and employee, merchant and customers, ruler and citizens, and God and man”. As we fulfill the expectation that will free us from guilt or sin we are open to receive this gift from God. Romans 5:17 states, If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (NRSV). Since we are not able to earn righteousness therefore we must be believers in Jesus Christ in order to receive the gift. As we use these disciplines, God is able to transform us in ways we never thought possible. Transformation of the heart and mind is needed as we walk this Christian journey. When we allow this transformation to happen we are allowing the disciplines to guide our spiritual lives and put us on the path of “disciplined grace”.

Foster defines “disciplined grace” as something for us to do (p. 8). In order for us reach the path of disciplined grace we must be active in the practice of the disciplines. When we are active we will be challenged to move off the narrow path because of the obstacles, road blocks and difficulties. This is what the enemy throws at us to make us stumble and fall down. As the disciplines become ingrained in us we will notice the transformation in our attitudes, our hearts, our speech and our personality. However, we must use these disciplines for our growth.

The disciplines were not created for us to make them into laws and hold people’s feet to the fire to make them obey them. This was the issue that Jesus spoke of when he talked to the disciples about the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (NRSV)). As we read through this pericope we notice how the scribes and Pharisees have placed an external burden on the people who are seeking a relationship with God. “Their righteousness consisted in control over externals, often including the manipulation of others. The extent to which we have gone beyond the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees is seen in how much our lives demonstrate the internal work of God upon the heart” (p. 9). When the disciplines that are for internal use are manipulated for external use and measurement, we find ourselves not able to fulfill the expectation of carrying out such a task. When this happens we find ourselves in the grips of spiritual death because of our inability to uphold the legalism of the external disciplines. As we reflect on the Israelites and the Law of Moses we realize no matter what happened, they broke the law daily. This is why righteousness is a gift from God. If we had to sacrifice animals for our sins there would not be enough lambs, goats, doves or pigeon to redeem us. Our redemption, salvation and change start on the inside and will manifest outwardly because we have allowed the disciplines to take root, nourish and nurture us inwardly. During the week, let us focus on the following scripture regarding freedom and death as it relates to the spiritual disciplines.

Righteousness (Psalms. 119:137-38, 144; Isaiah. 24:16, Palms. 45:4, 7; 72:1-7, Ezekiel 18:5-9, Genesis. 6:9; cf. 2 Peter. 2:5).

Jesus sought ‘sinners,’ not ‘the righteous’ of the day (Mark 2:17). Not the Pharisee but the tax collector went home ‘vindicated’ (Luke 18:14). Jesus called for righteousness (Matthew. 5:20) but also spoke of it, like the Kingdom, as God’s gift (Matthew. 5:6; 6:33).

The Law as death (Matthew 23:4, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 11:46. Acts 15:5, 10, 28. Galatians 6:13. Revelations 2:24, 25.


Questions to Ponder:

1. If a strong person encourages and a weak person control, how do you see yourself and how does others see you?
2. Is it possible to prevent moral bankruptcy? Why or Why not?
3. What are some things you haven’t let go in order to grow spiritual?