In the Christian walk I love how Pastor Adrian Rogers contrasts these three “D” words: “Discipline says, ‘I need to.’ Duty says, ‘I ought to.’ Devotion says, ‘I want to.’”1 While all three of these “D” words are essential elements in our Christian journey only having a deep devotion to Christ and His commands will bring true lasting joy.
Discipline
In my own personal walk with the Lord, these past 43 years, I have found that exercising some of the essential elements of my journey with Christ, such as prayer and Bible reading, requires setting aside specific blocks of time each day in order to accomplish these precious disciplines. When Rogers equates discipline with, “I need to,” he is spot on. As Christians, without a disciplined way of living, we will never be consistent in reading our Bibles or spending quality time in prayer with the Lord. My friends there is just no way around the fact that we need to be disciplined disciples if we want to draw near to our Savior.
Duty
(Ecclesiastes 12:13) says: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” As Christians it goes without saying that we “ought” to fear God and keep His commandments. And while the idea that we ought to do something, like obey the commandments of the Lord, to many has a negative connotation, obedience to Jesus is the best decision we can ever make because when we obey the Lord, blessings are sure to follow.
Devotion
While “discipline” and “duty” are important elements needed to walk with Jesus, the more we understand the role these words play in our journey with the Lord, I believe they will lead us to “wanting” to spend more time in “devotion” to Christ. As Christians, when we are fully devoted to following Jesus, (Psalm 16:11), which is one of my favorite verses in all of Scripture, will help you to realize why we should all want to follow closely after the Lord: “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Imagine knowing what path your life should take, that in Christ you will have fullness of joy, and that as believers we can experience true pleasures in life, both now and for all of eternity.
And if I can add one more “D” word to Rogers trilogy of “discipline,” “duty,” and “devotion” – “delight.” I love how (Psalm 37:4) puts it: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” For when you “discipline” yourselves to carry out your “duty” to fear God and keep His commandments, not only will this lead to wanting to “devote” your entire life to Jesus, but it will lead to sheer “delight!”
Perhaps we can squeeze in one more D, “Dare.” When Paul deals with the issue of evaluating ourselves, he cautions us to not make any man our standard of measurement.
II Cor. 10:12
Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
Rather, we find our hope and strength in the one who is able.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,
It’s God’s infinite ability and not man’s finite, conceited thoughts that answer our prayers.
This was a glorious devotion that deserves meditating on this whole week.