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

3. A disciplined life is a total life experience , where through formal, daily, and repeated regimens we express our devotion and commitment to God.

4. We discipline ourselves together with others in the context of the body of Christ , where we together flesh out our discipleship before God, 1 Pet. 2.9-11 – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. [11] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

B. Critical Implications

1. Every disciple of Jesus is called to live a disciplined life .

2. Without the discipline of discipleship , our testimony before others will neither be compelling nor clear. Authentic discipleship requires the discipline of discipleship.

3. Regardless of where you are today, you can begin afresh the journey toward a disciplined life , especially if you carefully follow the rules of developing a Rule to live by.

4. Discipline involves formal goals and regimens as well as spontaneous expressions of freedom . Being disciplined need not make a person rigid and unyielding.

5. Those who commit themselves to a disciplined lifestyle will reap a host of benefits and blessings , all of which are contingent on the disciple not giving up . The victory is given to those who finish the race , not enter it .