September 22, 2023This week I began reading a book entitled “The Disciplines of Life” by the late Dr. V. Raymond Edman, who served overseas in World War I before becoming director of El Instituto Biblico del Ecuador and teaching at Wheaton (Illinois) College. Dr. Edman was chosen as president of the college in 1941. This book contains thirty-one messages that Dr. Edman delivered in chapel services. When I opened it, I found a note written to Karen’s parents by the late Walter Frank, who served with Greater Europe Mission: “Accept this choice little book as a token of our sympathy upon the homegoing of Mother. May the God of all hope fill your hearts will all joy and peace in believing.”
“The Disciplines of Life” contains this dedication: “Life’s early lessons make indelible impressions on the plastic spirit of childhood. The great disciplines of life: to love God with all my heart, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, to learn the sacred Scriptures, to serve God and my fellow men – these have come from my dear old mother, to whom I gratefully dedicate this little volume.” Reading this was especially moving to me as yesterday was the first anniversary of the death of my mother. I owe so much to Mom, who taught me many valuable lessons and encouraged me to serve the Lord.
In the first chapter of “The Disciplines of Life,” Dr. Edman examines the discipline of discipleship. Here is part of what he shared: “Discipleship means ‘discipline!’ The disciple is that one who has been taught or trained by the Master, who has come with his ignorance, superstition, and sin, to find learning, truth, and forgiveness from the Saviour. Without discipline we are not disciples, even though we profess His Name and pass for a follower of the lowly Nazarene. In an undisciplined age when liberty and license have replaced law and loyalty, there is greater need than ever before that we be disciplined to be His disciples.
Discipleship requires the discipline of conversion, wherein we recognize our lost estate because of rebellion against God, and with penitence come to the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. We assent from our hearts that ‘all we like sheep have gone astray; we have tuned every one to his own way’ (Isaiah 53:6), that ‘all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23), that ‘the Scripture hath concluded all under sin’ (Galatians 3:22), and that we ‘were by nature the children of wrath, even as others … strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world’ (Ephesians 2:3, 12).”
Dr. Edman goes on to write: “Discipleship requires the discipline of cost. Our Lord’s words search deeply into the depth of our souls, as He says, ‘He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy pf me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me’ (Matthew 10:37)” and “Discipleship requires the discipline of cross-bearing. Three things seem to be necessary for us each day: our daily food (for which we are to pray, Matt. 6:11); our daily work (in which we ae to be faithful, 1 Thess. 4:11, 12; 2 Thess. 3:10-13), and our daily cross. Our Lord said, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me’ (Luke 9:23), ‘And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple’ (Luke 14:27; Matt. 16:24).
This cross is not that of our Saviour, who suffered once upon the Tree, for we add no part to the price of our redemption; and least of all, is it bearing an outward cross, around one’s neck … It is the denial of self, in the deepest meaning of that word, and of all that life has to offer, in full surrender to the will of God; in the spirit of Calvary’s Cross, to be sure.”
The Lord Jesus took the punishment that each of us deserved when He hung upon the cross. If you are His child, follow Him with your whole heart and tell others about His love. If you have not yet trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, I urge you to do so today. You can learn more about the way of salvation by visiting our ministry website: www.lavoixdelevangile.ca.
Scripture for the weekend: “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 (NKJV)
By His grace,
Steve