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

Session 7 Fleshing Out a Compelling Testimony Disciplining Our Disciplines

The Spiritual Disciplines are intended for our good. They are meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives. It is possible, however, to turn them into another set of soul-killing laws. Law bound Disciplines breathe death. ~ Foster. Celebration of Discipline . p. 9.

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John 6.63 It is the Spirit who

I. Discipline and Holiness

gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

We cannot operate independently of the Lord and experience His enablement. His divine power brings its blessings “through the true knowledge of Him.” Peter wants us to realize that God’s provision is totally adequate for all of life’s demands. He has granted us “every thing pertaining to life and godliness.” As Hudson Taylor once wrote, “God’s power is available power. We are supernatural people, born again by supernatural birth, kept by a supernatural power, sustained by supernatural food, taught by a supernatural Teacher from a supernatural Book. We are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victories. The risen Savior, ere He ascended on high, said, ‘All power is given unto Me. Go ye therefore.’ ”That super natural power, however, operates in a very profane world. It is the enablement which relates to “life,” not only eternal life, but life as it is lived in this world for God. It is a power which makes “godliness” possible: holy living in an unholy world. It is impossible to think of a more comprehensive phrase than “everything pertaining to life and godliness.” Peter wants us to realize that we cannot claim that moral excellence is beyond our capacities. Unaided, it undeniably is. But the divine provision overflows human inadequacy, a divine provision which must be appropriated to become operative.

~ Gary Inrig. A Call to Excellence . Wheaton, IL: Victory Books. p. 66.

A. The precious blood of Christ

1. We are made holy by the shed blood of Christ, not by works righteousness.

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