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

heaven and before you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

d. Receiving the confession of another

(1) Matt. 16.19 – I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (2) John 20.23 – If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld. (3) James 5.16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. a. God is a God of forgiveness who is willing to forgive and relent from punishing the evildoer who repents and confesses before him. (1) Exod. 34.6-7 – The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, [7] keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (2) 2 Chron. 30.9 – For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find com passion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful

3. Central principles