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

Ses s i on 6: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i t y : The “Corporate” Di sc i p l i nes 241

any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

(6) 1 John 1.9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

e. Confession, in one sense, appears to be both a grace and a discipline.

(1) It is a grace for only God can truly forgive sins.

(2) It is a discipline because we must confess our sins in order to be cleansed by the blood of Christ.

f. We ought to perceive ourselves as children of God who need his ongoing care, instruction, and cleansing, not as enemies of God who receive periodic “probation” from punishment and guilt.

(1) We are the children of God, 1 John 3.1-2 – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2] Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (2) The Holy Spirit indwells us, and within us cries the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, “Abba! Father!,” Rom. 8.15-16 – For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

(3) We are undergoing the discipline of a loving and caring Father, Heb. 12.5-12.