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

all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Cost of Discipleship . Trans. R. H. Fuller. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1963. p. 47.

A. A willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes to live a life worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ

1. The Demand : The one whose life before God and others is compelling, is a life poured out, willing to endure and experience whatever it will take for Christ to be honored in it.

2. An Example : Paul, Acts 20.22-24 – And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that im prisonment and afflictions await me. [24] But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

a. Does not count his life of any value, nor as precious to himself

b. His motive: to finish his course and the ministry given to him by the Lord Jesus

3. The Question : am I willing to pay whatever price I must in order to live the life that God would have me live in my own unique life situation?