The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship by Dallas Willard

Author:Dallas Willard [Willard, Dallas]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 0062311751
Amazon: B000JMKT00
Publisher: HarperOne
Published: 2009-10-12T16:00:00+00:00

What is the role of spiritual disciplines in spiritual formation?

By “disciplines” we understand consciously undertaken or chosen activities that enable us to do what we cannot do by direct effort. Spiritual disciplines are such activities, but ones specifically relevant to growth and attainment in the spiritual life. Hence, they are major factors in spiritual formation. They are a major part of what we can do to contribute to our own spiritual formation.

For example, if I find, as most do, that I cannot by direct effort succeed in “blessing those who curse me” or “praying without ceasing,” in putting anger aside or not indulging the covetous or lustful eye, then it is my responsibility to find out how I can train myself (always under grace and divine guidance, we must never forget) so that I will be able to do what I cannot do just by trying in the moment of need.

“Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial” was the good advice given by Jesus to his weary friends to assist their truly willing spirits against the weakness of their natural abilities (“flesh”) (Matthew 26:41). And the ancient charge was, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful” (Joshua 1:8). Such verses incorporate the wisdom of scripture, that we are to take measures to receive the spiritual assistance that we need, and that such assistance will not, in general, be passively imposed upon us or infused into us.

Solitude and silence, fasting and frugality, study and worship, service and submission—and other practices that serve in the same way (there is no complete list)—are therefore integral parts of any reliable program of spiritual formation. They should be a substantial part of our private lives and of our associations with others in the body of Christ. They do not earn merit, but they do allow us to receive from God what will not be passively bestowed. They are not righteousness but wisdom.

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