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

Ses s i on 5: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Charac ter : The Outward Di sc i p l i nes 193

A. The biblical witness

Repentance is a fruit of faith, which is itself a fruit of regeneration. But in actual life, repentance is inseparable from faith, being the negative aspect (faith is the positive aspect) of turning to Christ as Lord and Savior. The idea that there can be saving faith without repentance, and that one can be justified by embracing Christ as Savior while refusing him as Lord, is a destructive delusion. True faith acknowledges Christ as what he truly is, our God-appointed king as well as our God-given priest, and true trust in him as Savior will express itself in submission to him as Lord also. To refuse this is to seek justification through an impenitent faith, which is no faith. ~ J. I. Packer. Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs (electronic ed.). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1995.

1. Definition: the discipline of submission refers to the freedom we have to both subordinate our will to the Lord, and surrender the right to always get our way.

a. It is modeled on our Lord’s complete submission and obedience to the Father.

(1) John 5.19-20 – So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.” (2) John 5.30 – I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. (3) John 8.28 – So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” (4) John 9.4 – We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (5) John 12.49 – For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment – what to say and what to speak. (6) John 14.10 – Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.