Most of us could use more bodily discipline! Saying “no” to that cookie . . . Passing on dessert . . . choosing a salad over the fried chicken . . . It is discipline that propels us to get up early in the morning to hit the treadmill, or to go for a run, or to do those stretching exercises. Bodily discipline is good for you. It drives you to do healthy activities you would otherwise bypass. But there is a discipline that produces far greater results.
Godliness is a form of discipline. Just as it takes self-control to sit still while the nurse sticks a needle into your arm, so it requires discipline to allow the Holy Spirit to remove sinful habits and thoughts from us until we look like Jesus. Carnal habits generally are changed through focused effort. God will not make us Christ-like against our will!
Besides the enormous reward that comes from becoming like Jesus, godliness also offers eternal benefits: we bring our godly character with us into the next life. All of that work is not lost at our death! Certainly there is some “pain” associated with becoming godly. But it is worth it!