Mark’s Reviews > Godliness Through Discipline > Status Update

Adams points out that, since God has taken pains to give us a wholly true and inerrant book through His Holy Spirit, it shouldn't surprise us that He uses it for our growth.
There is no easier path to godliness than the prayerful study and obedient practice of the Word of God.

Endurance. Again, it's a fine line, but I'm glad Adams says this: All of the stress that the Bible puts upon human effort must not be misunderstood; we are talking about grace-motivated effort, not the work of the flesh. It is not effort apart from the Holy Spirit that produces godliness, as I said. Rather, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit alone that one can so endure.

I have always liked the way Adams admonishes. Suppose you have found it difficult to read the Scriptures and pray daily; was that a good reason for quitting? No! I need a good kick in the pants, and Adams seems to know it.

The answer is yes; by the grace of God he can change.

Heb 5:14 who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. We have all developed unconscious patterns through practice; some good, some bad. It can be done.

Adams compares to "putting off" and "putting on" to developing a habit. Through discipline, our habits become "second nature."

The biblical emphasis on discipline suggests no instant results. Athlete analogy.

Adams introduces the role of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit orients us toward God and brings our experience into line with how God sees us in Christ, as a new creation.

Adams says that godliness is not an option; it is a divine command and the goal of the Christian life. Of course, we know that godliness is extremely important to God because it's throughout the Scriptures. But the godliness or "righteousness" that God desires is HIS righteousness, not our own. It is a fine line of distinction when we say focus on discipline instead of focusing on Him.

There are people who seem to be godly. Adams says that there are no instant routes to godliness and that discipline is the missing ingredient in lives of those who are not "making it."