The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Grace H. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Self Government
Discipline and self control are two main features of a healthy Christian walk. Hopefully these things set us apart from unbelievers by affecting the choices we make. God desires us to resist temptation by using self control and self discipline. He requires discipline in our life to stretch us and teach us. Hebrews 12 says that since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses we must be good examples and resist sin. Also that God disciplines the ones He loves and chastises His children, so that we may share in His holiness. Through chastisement we receive the peaceful fruits of righteousness. We find strength in the Lord to endure discipline and self control. Hebrews 12:2-3 says, "looking to Jesus, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." We find hope in Christ, knowing that He suffered so much more than us, which He didn’t even deserve!
God calls us to be "afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 8-10). As fellow Christians we must support each other in times of trial and keep each other from falling into sin by tempting their weaknesses or placing an opportunity to sin in front of them. 2 Corinthians 6:3 says, "We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry." It is extremely important not to make someone falter because of the way you dress or the things you do. Even though the sin may not have been hard for you to resist, your brother in Christ may struggle with it after you exposed him to the idea. All Christians have different strengths and weaknesses that we must be sensitive to.
There are many plans of action we can use to prepare ourselves for these disciplines. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says,"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day… For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Just knowing that we look forward to a glorious future helps the discipline to seem worth it. We are also told to put on the armor of God in Ephesians 6, so that we can stand. Romans 6:12 says not to let sin reign … but resist the fleshly desires! It also says to walk by the Spirit not the flesh.
God does not leave us hanging out to dry in our fight to have self control and discipline. He says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that He will not let us be tempted beyond our strength but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape. How encouraging! 2 Peter 2:9 says the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and in 2 Timothy 1:7 it says God gives us a spirit of power, love and self control; not of fear!
Out of discipline comes reward. Tests can bring glory to God and after suffering, God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you (1 Peter 1:6-7; 5:10). So stay focused on the goal of self control and enduring discipline for you will find a reward. "We rejoice in suffering because suffering produces endurance; endurance, character; and character, hope; and hope does not put us to shame" (Romans 5:3).
