In his book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster writes about the necessity of using the spiritual disciplines, whereby God can shift and transform the disciple’s heart. Spiritual disciplines are:
“Meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives.”
Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 2008), 10.
However, sometimes we can fall into the trap of using these disciplines in a legalistic manner. In such circumstances, the abundance of God these practices intend to bring may not be realised.
I recently attended a spiritual formation retreat. I have attended a few of these before, but as I reflected on my life, it became evident that some significant shifts had occurred within my heart. God had made discernible progress. One of my major weaknesses, which came to the fore within this reflective space, is my tendency towards legalism. That tendency has ebbed and flowed as life circumstances have continually shifted. I naturally desire to be the best, to perform the best, and to ensure I succeed from my own abilities. It reminds me of the Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch ’Em All!) song:
“I want to be the very best, like no one ever was.”
Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch ’Em All!) lyrics.
Largely speaking, I have been successful, and consequently, this has stretched into my faith, whereby I easily fall into the pattern of works-based salvation. I am often trying to justify my salvation as a work I have completed. All the good things I do surely will get me through the pearly gates.
According to Foster, the legalism of the spiritual disciplines is due to externalism[1]. It may be that there is a heart issue of seeking to earn salvation, but often it is about the image. How am I perceived by others? If doing these disciplines in a legalistic manner, a common thought is this: I am spiritually on a higher plain than others; they should take note and follow suit. In this instance, the disciplines do not place the person at the feet of God. Rather, they take the place of God, and the disciple puts themselves on the throne. It becomes all about the person, not God, to whom the disciplines were designed to draw us to. I have been very guilty of this.
Growing up as the fourth child of a Church of Christ minister, we were always encouraged to read God’s word daily. It went further, though; we were encouraged to spend time in the spiritual discipline of prayer. As a kid, I rarely wanted to. I simply did not have the desire to read the Bible and pray. There were plenty of more enjoyable things to do! And while I have a legalistic tendency in terms of outward character and behaviour, the inward can be quite separate. In response to this push from my parents, I have continued to struggle with my desire to commit to the classical spiritual disciplines. I believe this is also somewhat part of my response to legalism; I have swung to the opposite side of the spectrum in search of the solution. I often try to appear as though I have “made it spiritually”, as though I am a model citizen others should follow.
I have always been taught that “God is love” (1 John 4:8 ESV). And that’s absolutely true; Jesus is the embodiment of love in the flesh. But still, the identity I placed upon God the Father as creator reigned supreme rather than that of love. I knew that God loved me and everyone else, but the truth of this statement is still slowly seeping its way into my heart.
I recently read a text from Michael Reeves that posited the following question: if God’s nature was as creator, “what was God doing before creation?”[2]. How could God be creator by nature if creation had not yet occurred? Therefore, it does not follow that God is by nature creator. Reeves instead suggests that God’s nature is instead to love.
“As the Father is the lover and the Son the beloved, so Christ becomes the lover and the church the beloved.”
Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith, (Illinois: IVP Academic, 2012), 28.
The imagery resembles a waterfall; it is a shower of love that cascades down from one to the next. As Christ loves the Bride, as He loves me, I am beginning to realise that my response and desire reflect the love He first showed:
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 ESV.
The spiritual disciplines are no longer a requirement for salvation; they are not burdensome. When done in the right heart, they are a tool that we can use in response to the goodness and love that Jesus shows us. This understanding is still working its way into my heart, but as a revelation, it has been profound and encouraging. I trust that as you are reading this, perhaps it, too, will be useful for your own walk with Christ.
As I seek to find the right rhythm with the spiritual disciplines, I am finding that God is slowly changing my heart. He speaks to me, showing me just how much He cares and loves me. Each person of the Trinity loves differently, and my relationship with each varies considerably. As such, my heart and desire to love people around me, my neighbours (see Matthew 22:39), is also growing and shifting. Every person I encounter is different, and I pray, through the spiritual disciplines, that God will break my heart for others so that the love and care I provide will be genuine. Earning my salvation is not possible; God has already done that. But as Dallas Willard suggests:
“Grace … is opposed to earning, not to effort.”
Dallas Willard, “General Introduction,” in J. P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind, (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1997), 12.
As I choose to spend time with Jesus, it comes from a desire to return the love I was first shown. Every part of my being wants to suggest that I will no longer use the spiritual disciplines to earn my salvation. While I pray this will be the case and this is the aim, I know there will be moments in my life where I fall short, whereby glorifying God and loving His Church may not remain my number one priority. As I continue to journey, I pray that God will continue to shift the patterns in my heart; however painful the process may be, it into alignment with Jesus.
The spiritual disciplines ought to be an expression of freedom, and I am thankful God has brought this to light in my heart.
[1] Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 2008), 10.
[2] Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith, (Illinois: IVP Academic, 2012), 21.
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