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

rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

b. Our running is on the basis of our redemption ; it does not provide it, 1 Cor. 9.26-27 – So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. [27] But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. c. Now that we are redeemed, we pay careful attention to our walks in Christ, 1 Tim. 4.16 – Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. d. The grace of God is obtained by faith in Christ, not through strenuous self-effort or our rule-keeping, Heb. 12.15 – See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

B. The indwelling Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit alone provides the power from within to subdue our sin nature and flesh out our new nature in Christ.

a. The indwelling Holy Spirit liberates us from the power and condemnation of the Law, Rom. 8.2-4 – For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of