Disciplined and Free

I was listening to this hymn on the radio the other morning... it actually woke me up..and i didnt catch all the words of the song ( mostly because of my loud alarm clock) but i did seem to catch these words in the song: " I am a Christian, disciplined and free..." I was already thinking about the role of discipline in Christianity and it plays a very big role, especially because our flesh naturally leans twoard not doing the will of God.
We cannot be loose with our Christianity, customizing Jesus in order to make up for our lack of discipline. The whole book of Proverbs talks about the role of instruction and correction, reproof and discipline. Words like chastisement, warning, and training are all words that are synonomous with discipline. We cannot live in a Christianity where "anything goes" and we are "free to serve Jesus". You see alot of people in this "freedom" wearing whatever, talking however, and cant seem to ever get rid of their bad habits, blaming them on Christ because "He's still working on me." Proverbs 22:15; 29:15; and 13:24 all apeak on discipline, even discipline concerning the rod of correction. Most people just think that these verses are talking about children and parents, but its also dealing with the Christian who is still a immature and hasn't been disciplined. Hebrews 12 talks about discipline, right after one of the most powerful chapters on faith in the Bible, Hebrews 11. With faith must come discipline. The one who forsakes and rejects discipline is a fool is what Proverbs teaches us.

Proverbs 10:17- He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
Prov 10:17 (KJV)

Proverbs 13:18-Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Prov 13:18 (KJV)

Proverbs 15:5-A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Prov 15:5 (KJV)

There are many more verses in Proverbs and all throughout the Word dealing with discipline. Its in discipline and holiness that the Christian is free. The Holy Spirit will always correct, convict, and keep the believer on the right path, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty (2 Cor 3:17). In other words, there is no liberty outside of the Lord's correction, and conviction, and his light and easy yoke. (Matt 11:30)