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

said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” [39] Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

a. The true believer is indwelt and has access to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, likened to rivers of living water inside them.

b. His strength: the very life of God in Jesus indwells the Christian by the power of God, the Holy Spirit (e.g., Rom. 8.9 – You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.)

3. The Question : am I willing to yield daily to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for power and direction in my life?

D. A strategy of applied personal discipline

1. The Demand : The one whose life before God and others is compelling is a life organized and built on the path of discipline for the purpose of godliness.

2. An Example : Timothy, 1 Tim. 4.6-12 – If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full accept ance. [10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. [11] Command