The Discipline of Grace sounds like an oxymoron- the linking together of contradicting terms (e.g.., deafening silence, solemn celebration, jumbo shrimp). We associate 'grace' with the free gift of God's love, the full pardon and acceptance we find when we bow in recognition of Christ's sacrifice for us. The word 'discipline' reminds us of demands that stretch us, rules that constrain us and rigorous regimens that challenge us out of our comfort zone. We tend to equate 'grace' with a 'freedom of all constraints' and 'discipline' with 'bondage'. Such an estimation shows us that we neither understand discipline nor grace.

Yet the Scriptures tell us that the same grace that appeared to all men and brought salvation, also TEACHES us (Titus 2:11-12). The Greek word used for 'teaching' is 'paideuo' which means 'child- rearing' or 'to bring under discipline'. Our God is 'the God of all grace' (1Peter 5:10). The Holy Spirit is referred to as 'The Spirit of Grace' (Hebrews 10:29). Grace brings more than a pardon, it brings us a power through the Person of the Holy Spirit. When we are born of God we are brought into the School of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the anointing that teaches us (1John 2:27). The objective of our study is to learn of Christ (Matthew 11:29, John 14:26). We are under the Holy Spirit's discipline. The object of the Spirit's tutelage is to bring us, in our experience, into such a relationship with the Living Christ, that we are progressively conformed to His image and manifest His life. His goal is that we become Christ-like in the midst of Christlike community.

God loves us enough to fully invest in our education. Responsible parents not only deal with the misbehavior of their children, they also provide training to promote positive character traits.  God is our Father who lovingly teaches us through all of life's circumstances (Hebrews 12:5-11). Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12).

The Holy Spirit grants us the enabling power to reckon on the once-and-for-all break with our old life of ungodliness and worldly passion, when living for prestige, power, possessions and pleasure were the rule of the day. The Spirit also motivates us to say 'yes' to the daily adventure of joining Christ in what He is doing. Our lives become purposeful and focused through His inner direction and positive habit formation (self-control), we choose to be upright in our relationships with others and submitted in love to the will of God.

The Christian life is a life of grace. We can experience the grace of the Holy Spirit bringing both the desire and the discipline required for doing God's will (Philippians 2:13). The discipline of the Holy Spirit will encourage us to be pro-active in participating in God's purpose. The work of God will not be accomplished by merely 'letting go and letting God'. The Holy Spirit will not do God's work for us. He ENABLES us to do God's work.