Discipline and Dependence.

I am reading the Disciplines of Grace by Jerry Bridges. I was reading about discipline and dependence. Bridges paraphrases 1 Corintians 3:7 which says: "So that neither the one who plants or the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." Paul meant this in reference to ministry and that is always how I have read it. But when you apply it to your life it is a good reminder that God is the one who causes growth for your spiritual life. He talks of two extremes. One is being passive in your walk with God. Expecting growth with no effort. Bridges writes, "The Holy Spirit does not do the work for us; rather he enables us to do the work. We often use the expression 'Let the Lord live His life through me.' I am personally uncomfortable with this expression because it suggests passivity on our part. He does not live his life through me. Rather, as I depend on Him, He enables me to live a life pleasing to Him."

What an excellent reminder to not become passive with our faith. John Owen also puts it well. He says: " But out duty and out Grace are nowhere opposed in the matter of sanctification; for the on absolutely supposes the other. We cannot perform our duty without the grace of God; nor does God give his grace other than to perform our duty." We can rely on God completely while still putting work in to our spiritual walk.  

Another way is that we depend to much in spiritual disciplines. I think that I lean more in this area. While reading your bible and praying are wonderful things to be doing the act itself is not what causes growth. Like i said before it is God who causes the growth. We can be reading our bibles and praying all we want but if God is not in the equation nothing will happen. Bridges says " But those disciplines are not the source of our spiritual strength. The Lord Jesus Christ is, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to apply the strength to our lives. This goes back to 1 Corinthians, we can plant and we can water but God causes the growth. This is such a good reminder in two ways. One to be completely and humbly surrender to our Lord. To be wholly dependent on him for everything, especially our spiritual growth. Second to not be lax about our faith. To always be striving to know God better. I am so thankful for this simple yet profound reminder to rely fully on God. 

While not putting it this way I think that if I follow a set mandate for spiritual growth then I will grow. I realized through reading this chapter that I do not rely fully on God for spiritual strength. I in essence rely on myself. Because I am the one deciding to read my bible and pray. Bridges tells How Jonathan Edwards had seventy resolutions to govern his spiritual conduct. Talk about being disciplined but at the beginning of his resolutions he wrote this:

. " Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will for Christ's sake." Jonathan Edwards. 

I am humbly entreating God to enable me to be more disciplined with full reliance on Him.