Right or Wrong? Spiritual disciplines

We have joined a church that emphasizes "spiritual disciplines." I grew up admonished to resist anything that resembles salvation by works. Is this what we've gotten ourselves into?

Spiritual disciplines are good, but it is possible they can be pursued in a manner that could become bad for your spiritual health.

"Spiritual disciplines" refer to practices that help people develop and maintain their relationship with God. More than 30 years ago, Richard Foster wrote Celebration of Discipline, one of the more popular and helpful books on this subject. He divided the disciplines into three categories. He listed the "inward disciplines" as meditation, prayer, fasting and study. The "outward disciplines" are simplicity, solitude, submission and service. And the "corporate disciplines" are confession, worship, guidance and celebration. These disciplines have a biblical foundation and are common practices among Baptists.

We do need to observe some cautions. Jesus said: "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:5-6). That passage, at its simplest, says two things. First, it implies we will pray, possibly even that we should pray. Second, it clearly says there are wrong ways of praying. Prayer is about talking to God, not about giving a public oration.

Jesus gives a similar biblical injunction regarding fasting. There is a right way and a wrong way.

Regarding whether the practice of spiritual disciplines "resembles salvation by works," it is easy to imagine a person could develop a wrong attitude about the disciplines. The person could think a person must pray every morning for 30 minutes to be right with God. Or, if a person does pray like this but hates it, perhaps the thought would be, "Maybe I'm not saved if I don't like starting every day with a formal prayer."

Misuse of any spiritual discipline is possible, but that does not mean spiritual disciplines are bad. It simply means we should approach them as Scripture instructs—as a means of communicating with God.

Let's make no bones about it. Spiritual disciplines are good for the follower of Christ. Without them, it is hard to know God, to rest in God and to serve God consistently and continually. But let's be equally emphatic that these disciplines are not the means of salvation. We are saved by God's grace through faith. Nothing else. Fasting doesn't save; Bible reading doesn't save; even prayer doesn't save. It is the faith behind a prayer that saves a person.

Ferrell Foster, associate director

Advocacy/care center, Baptist General Convention of Texas

Dallas

Right or Wrong? is co-sponsored by the Texas Baptist theological education office and Christian Life Commission. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to bill.tillman@texasbaptists.org.