A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

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A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

2. The principal insight : Only through the grace of God can we attain to the measure of the standard of Christ. We must depend on him, for apart from him (even in discipline) we cannot attain anything spiritually transformative (cf. John 15.4-5).

3. The practical implementation : Pray specifically and fervently to the Lord regarding your intent to discipline yourself in this area.

D. Get proper guidance from a spiritual director.

1. The biblical idea

a. Acts 8.30-31 – So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

b. Ps. 73.16-17 – But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, [17] until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

c. Ps. 141.5 – Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness; let him rebuke me – it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

d. Prov. 30.2-3 – Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. [3] I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.