Underlying much of the conscious rejection of spiritual discipline is the fear of legalism. For many, spiritual discipline means putting oneself back under the law with a series of draconian rules that no one can live up to - and which spawn frustration and spiritual death.
But nothing could be further from the truth if you understand what discipline and legalism are. The difference is one of motivation: legalism is self-centred; discipline is God-centred. The legalistic heart says, "I will do this thing to gain merit with God." The disciplined heart says, "I will do this thing because I love God and want to please Him."
There is an infinite difference between the motivation of legalism and discipline! Paul knew this implicitly and fought the legalists bare-knuckled all the way across Asia Minor, never giving an inch. Now he shouts to us, "Train [discipline] yourself for godliness!" If we confuse legalism and discipline, we do so to our soul's peril.
- R Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man
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