“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple
must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For
whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life
for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole
world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for
their soul?’” (Matthew 16:24-46, NIV)
Francis de Sales wrote of the fundamental nature of devotion and
discipline in the Christian life; the meaning of true devotion was one
of his primary interests. Anyone who has read the Gospels knows that
Jesus’ call is to a narrow way. I don’t know a Christian in all the ages
to whom we turn for teaching and inspiration who did not give himself
to discipline and devotion.
And de Sales had an inspiring comprehension of devotion. If the
Bible said that we are saved by grace through intelligence, some of us
would have been too dumb. If we were saved by grace through looks,
some of us would be too ugly. If we were saved by grace through
education, some of us would be too ignorant. If we were saved by grace
through money, some of us would be too poor. But all that is necessary
for us to be saved is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Continuing in de Sales’ company, he tells us, “True devotion
presupposes not a partial but a thorough love of God. For inasmuch
as divine love adorns the soul, it is called grace, making us pleasing to
the Divine Majesty; inasmuch as it gives us the strength to do good, it
is called charity; but when it is arrived at that degree of perfection by
which it makes us do well but also work diligently, frequently, and
readily, then it is called devotion.”
Genuine devotion presupposes the love of God; thus, the
disciplines we practice must be all for the love of God. This notion is
often ignored early in our Christian walk. “Good people who have not
as yet attained to devotion fly toward God by their good works, but
rarely, slowly and heavily; but devout souls ascend to him by more
frequent, prompt, and lofty flight.” As de Sales demonstrates, we need
to give attention to discipline and devotion to enhance our relationship
with Christ, to cultivate a vivid companionship with him. Through
discipline and devotion, we learn to be like Christ and to live as he
lived.
As I reflect on de Sales’ insights, his influence on my approach to
spiritual formation is clear: a dynamic process of receiving through
faith and appropriating through commitment, discipline, and action,
the living Christ into my own life, to the end that my life will conform
to and manifest the reality of Christ’s presence in the world.
Moment of Reflection: How have I sought to express devotion and
discipline?
Prayer: God, I confess I seek to fly toward you by my good works,
and it is slow and heavy. Release me from that impulse. I want to make
frequent, prompt and lofty flights. Amen.
Saints Alive! is available in both print and Kindle format by clicking HERE.