What is the most important spiritual discipline?

[disciple1]

No one is forcing me to preach. I do it because I love to do it. That sounds voluntary to me.

James chapter 3
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
I've read the bible more than 80 times more than you I would be a preacher.
Whoever loves money never has money enough.
Good luck.
I'd be careful though.

 

[disciple1]

James chapter 3
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
I've read the bible more than 80 times more than you I would be a preacher.
Whoever loves money never has money enough.
Good luck.
I'd be careful though.

I would be a preacher.

I meant to say I wouldn't be a preacher.

 

[Tree of Life]

I meant to say I wouldn't be a preacher.

You're right that it is a terrible responsibility. Those who speak the most will be judged the harshest. Please pray for me!

 

[disciple1]

You're right that it is a terrible responsibility. Those who speak the most will be judged the harshest. Please pray for me!

Those who speak the most will be judged the harshest.

I think those that get paid will be judged the harshest, I preach for free and most people won't listen to me, but I try.
1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 21
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
I don't see how I can pray for you, when you want money for nothing.
And anyone who loves money never has money enough.

 

[Tree of Life]

I think those that get paid will be judged the harshest, I preach for free and most people won't listen to me, but I try.
1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 21
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
I don't see how I can pray for you, when you want money for nothing.
And anyone who loves money never has money enough.

Is preaching nothing?

 

[disciple1]

Is preaching nothing?

Preaching is not nothing, but if you get paid for it, your also judged harder, I think if you preach for free, your in less trouble, and you said you've only read the bible a couple times, here's something from the bible to read.
Matthew chapter 4 verse 4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Romans chapter 1 verse 28
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

John chapter 8 verse 31,32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, " If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2 John
9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Job chapter 23 verse 12
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Matthew 11
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Luke chapter 21
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Romans chapter 10
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Mark chapter 13
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
James chapter 1
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James chapter 4
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Isaiah chapter 45 verse 19
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Jeremiah chapter 9
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.
Jeremiah chapter 5 verse 1
5 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.

 

[Tree of Life]

Preaching is not nothing, but if you get paid for it, your also judged harder, I think if you preach for free, your in less trouble, and you said you've only read the bible a couple times, here's something from the bible to read.

I'm not sure what relevance you think these verses have here. Why do you think that if you preach for free you're in "less trouble"? James does not make that distinction.

 

[disciple1]

I'm not sure what relevance you think these verses have here. Why do you think that if you preach for free you're in "less trouble"? James does not make that distinction.

You have no knowledge from the bible to share, so if your paid your not worth it.
Malachi 2New International Version (NIV)
Additional Warning to the Priests
2 “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. 2 If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

3 “Because of you I will rebuke your descendants[a]; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. 4 And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. 5 “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

7 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. 8 But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. 9 “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

 

[Tree of Life]

You have no knowledge from the bible to share, so if your paid your not worth it.

How do you know so much about me?!

 

[disciple1]

How do you know so much about me?!

6 True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips.

You told me you read the bible a couple times, that's where you learn about God, what they teach in school, is man's knowledge and worthless, study the bible, I know of no one who's studied the bible more than me, but I hope to find someone who has, it's not you, and so far on Christian forums, I haven't found much knowledge, even with the pastors, and that's the way it usually is, people try preach and know nothing.

 

[Tree of Life]

You told me you read the bible a couple times, that's where you learn about God, what they teach in school, is man's knowledge and worthless, study the bible, I know of no one who's studied the bible more than me, but I hope to find someone who has, it's not you, and so far on Christian forums, I haven't found much knowledge, even with the pastors, and that's the way it usually is, people try preach and know nothing.

Sounds like you're being a bit quick to judge. John 7:24.

 

[disciple1]

Sounds like you're being a bit quick to judge. John 7:24.

Good luck, I can't help you.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

How do you know so much about me?!

Look on the bright side. No one you preach to is going to be 1/2 as rough on you as disciple1 has been on you in this thread.

 

[Episaw]

This may sound like I'm asking "which is the most important leg on a stool?" or "which is the most important wheel on a car?" And this may be the case.

But I actually do think that there is one discipline that takes primacy over all the rest. There is one discipline that if it's missing from your life will negatively affect all the other disciplines and negatively affect your growth in Christ. I'll name it in the spoiler below, but before you look at my answer I'd like to hear your answer and your rationale.

Spoiler: My Answer

Weekly Church attendance.

Oh brother where did you get that strange idea?

 

[Episaw]

Yes. Weekly attendance at a local church of genuine believers where the gospel is being proclaimed and the sacraments administered is able to do all these things and more!

I'm not sure what you mean here. Could you elaborate?

You would not be very comfortable with being involved in the New Testament church.

One. They did not meet weekly. They met daily.

Two. They did not proclaim the gospel at their meeting together. They discussed the apostle's doctrine.

Three. They had no sacraments. They ate meals together.

 

[Tree of Life]

One. They did not meet weekly. They met daily.

I have no problem with meeting daily. But the Sabbath command only requires meeting once every seven days. If people want to meet more often that's awesome!

Two. They did not proclaim the gospel at their meeting together. They discussed the apostle's doctrine.

I'm confused. I thought that the gospel was the apostles' doctrine? Did the apostles teach something different from the gospel of Jesus and his kingdom?

Three. They had no sacraments. They ate meals together.

I'm sorry I must be confused here as well. As I read the book of Acts I see the apostles baptizing and commanding people to be baptized. Also as I read the apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus' words in the gospel I see an emphasis on celebrating the Lord's supper together. This could certainly happen within the context of a community meal.

 

[Dave-W]

The bible has nothing good to say about pastors.

You mean OTHER than that they are a gift from God to the church?

Eph 4.10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

 

[Dave-W]

I'm confused. I thought that the gospel was the apostles' doctrine? Did the apostles teach something different from the gospel of Jesus and his kingdom?

"Gospel" is how to get saved. Apostle's doctrine is how to live AFTER you get saved.

 

[Dave-W]

Also as I read the apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus' words in the gospel I see an emphasis on celebrating the Lord's supper together. This could certainly happen within the context of a community meal.

Historically that is true.

But the command stated "as often as you eat .. and drink .." Since the context of that command was the Passover seder meal, "as often" could very easily be understood to be at the annual Passover celebration.

 

[Tree of Life]

"Gospel" is how to get saved. Apostle's doctrine is how to live AFTER you get saved.

I think the gospel is much more than how to "get saved". And isn't salvation something much more than what you "get" one time? The Scriptures talk about salvation in past, present, and future tenses. I am saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved. The gospel sees me through all of these things from justification to glorification.