If you were compelled to grow a garden instead of relaxing and watching TV, you would naturally develop the self discipline to get it done.  Hunger is a fascinating motivator.

If you had to kill deer in order to have clothing and food, you wouldn’t complain so much about the weather.  You would learn quickly how to track, kill, field dress, and manipulate the carcass.  And the more intense the fear, the less remains would be left in the field.

Instead of being spoiled by central heating, and a fat paycheck, you would have gathered enough firewood for the entire winter.  Your fear of freezing to death would cause you massive sweat in the summer.

The more basic the life, the more likelihood of strong self discipline.  Hunger and survival are powerful motivators.  Fear of starvation and death can make weak people extremely strong.

If freedom was not given to you by legislation, you would have fought tooth and nail to gain it.  The desire for freedom is often stronger than the will to live.  Especially when ruthless men subject your children to violence.

But a consistent freedom requires consistent self-discipline.  The lazy and spoiled simply can’t hang on to it.  All the goodies are given to them for minimal labor and self discipline.  They will surely lose their rights over time.

All these things are true in the world.  They are far more true in the kingdom of heaven and application of the Gospel.  Didn’t Jesus tell us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled?

The Hungering and thirsting presupposes recognition of lack.  He didn’t tell us that all we had to do was ask and, “whaamo bammo”, we’d be righteous. 

The more stark the reality of a man’s trouble, the more likely he will be to pursue stability with all he has.  And when he perceives his need as greater than anything on this earth can cure, he will chase after God with a feverish pitch.

But how should a person diligently pursue what he thinks he already has?  And isn’t this a problem that has surfaced because the Gospel has become watered down?  Distill all the “flaky fluff” out of today’s Gospel, and you would see an entirely different people worshiping God.

By His Grace