Devotional Discipline (Side 1)

Tonight I spoke with a seminary student (the closest thing to old-time apostles) and we got around to talking about the value of devotions as a spiritual discipline. My friend, this student, said that daily devotions are not mandated anywhere in Scripture. In fact, he said that the only spiritual discipline that is forced on all Christians is prayer. Colossians 4:2 tells us to be devoted, that is, committed, to prayer. But it never says that to everyone about devotions. When Paul addresses Timothy telling him to study and show himself approved it was not a mandate for everyone (according to the student). Rather God was addressing only those who are in a position of teacher or preacher. For those, officials, if you will, there are devotional mandates but not for all Christians. There were actually very few Christians who were capable of reading for themselves in primitive times. Many were illiterate. In many cases it is that way today. Or there are, as there were then, many who cannot read the Scriptures because there is no access to them or because of an access to them they may face persecution. On the other hand, one can always pray, whereas one cannot always read the Scriptures. My friend admitted that devotions were often a source of pride for him. During earlier years he would religiously get up at 4 a.m. (insane!) to have his devotions. Many times he profitted from them, but more often than not what profitted most was his own ego instead of his soul. And if he ever abandoned his devotions or forgot them he would feel disappointed with himself and afraid of God's response to his "sin." His encouragement was that God loved him not because of the good things he could do but because of Christ. In fact, the best thing one can do is not to have devotions but to love Jesus, and that is the solution he came up with. My friend says that it's not about putting more yokes upon ourselves but rather being free in Christ, after all, He came to lift us out of bondage. Sometimes a devotion to devotions can lead to a spiritual bondage. He also commented that discipline isn't always a good thing. That it can be misconstrued and is not found anywhere in the Bible. Discipline is, he said, a Marine theme, not a Divine theme.