Graeme Goldsworthy on the ‘quiet time’…
Avoiding legalism while exercising self-discipline
Most of us need some kind of self-discipline in all kinds of things that we do on a regular basis. Usually we don’t have any difficulty in having three meals a day, but some do. We get into a routine for eating, sleeping and going to work. One routine that is often observed is the ‘quiet time’, particularly by Christians who recognize the need to study the Bible and to pray, usually on a daily basis. A quiet time is a good routine, but it needs to have some flexibility. The quiet time can become a legalistic requirement to the point that some feel that if they sleep in and have to miss their quiet time, their whole day will be a virtual disaster. This borders on superstition. The person who cultivates the art of praying without ceasing will recognize that, like the Sabbath, the quiet time was made for man and not man for the quiet time! All kinds of things can interrupt our routines, from storm, tempest, flood, fire and earthquakes. Or it may be simply a neighbour in need who calls on us, or a sick child. On the other hand, the person who makes a habit of chaotic indiscipline needs to take this matter in hand. However we might discipline our day to include Bible-reading and prayer, it is important not to reduce this habit to the level of the fulfilment of a legal obligation. It is always a privilege for the children of God and, as such, it is an expression of our being saved by grace alone.
Source: Prayer and the Knowledge of God (IVP), page 196.
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I get the impression that the majority of Christians today don’t err on the side of legalism in this matter.
David, I was just thinking that! For me I definitely need to focus on the self discipline.
David, Jourwon, thank you both for commenting and I tend to agree with your generalisation.
Perhaps you will be glad to see the extract I plan to post from Jensen and Payne’s book on prayer, scheduled for Saturday, as the last in my series of (hopefully encouraging) quotes from others on prayer.
-“The quiet time can become a legalistic requirement to the point that some feel that if they sleep in and have to miss their quiet time, their whole day will be a virtual disaster.”
On the other hand, we can feel quite pleased with ourselves when we DO faithfully observe a quiet time…sort of defeats the purpose.
Yes, legalism can undermine us in failure or success!
Joel, also just a polite note that our posting policy (above) requires your full name, not just a first name, please.