Grace, Discipline, and Holiness

Discipline. It is the word God gave me for 2014. I have struggled with that word all year long.

And at the end of 2014 I am still only scratching the surface of what that word really means.

1. I learned that I am a fallen broken woman who cannot stay disciplined on her own (Romans 7:18). On my own I am a hopeless mess. Guilt and will-power only get me so far in remaining disciplined. Meaning I take a few steps forward and then more steps back.

2. I learned that God is holy and perfect. And I am in desperate need of His grace on a daily basis.

3. I learned that understanding the love of God more deeply will compel me to do the things that please God (2 Cor 5:14). My only hope against undisciplined behavior is loving disciplined behavior. And the only way I can love disciplined behavior is knowing that behavior is an act of love I get to give to a God who loves me enough to die for me.

4. I learned I will need grace because discipline is the battle between my new self (2 Cor 5:17) and my flesh (Romans 7:21-23).

So without God’s grace to do the right things I won’t do them. Without discipline fueled by God’s grace I won’t stick to doing the difficult things. And God calls me to holiness.

So for 2015 God is calling me to think about and pray through two words – grace and holiness. And what better way to start thinking through grace and holiness than joining Kathy Howard and Julie Sanders and a host of others in seeking holy living with New Start ’15.

There is a Bible reading plan to help us focus on holiness, what it means, and how God calls us to holiness. There will be blog posts written by many women to encourage us in holy living. And under it all is God’s grace guiding and empowering us to live for Him and glorify Him in all we do and say.

Are you ready to join me? Well, I encourage you to like the New Start ’15 Facebook page, download the New Start ’15 Bible Reading plan here or here, and invite your friends to join you.

I pray our relationships with God will deepen as we read God’s Word and with His help live holy as He is holy.