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

A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

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serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

3. The body of Christ matures as each member contributes to the welfare of the whole: discipline, therefore, must always be seen as the faithful response of each member to God’s call on their lives.

a. We are to work together to glorify God and build up the body, 1 Cor. 10.31-33 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, [33] just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. b. We use our gifts and opportunities to strengthen the members of the Church, so they can be built up in Christ, Rom. 15.2-3 – Let each of us please his neigh bor for his good, to build him up. [3] For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

c. We are to seek the good of our neighbor, and in so doing, build up the people of God, 1 Cor. 10.24 – Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

2 Cor. 3.4-6 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. [5] Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, [6] who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

II. Discipline and Legalism

The gospel of Christ fulfils the OT Scriptures (Rom. 1.2; 3.21). And now that Christ has come, circumcision, food laws and observance of days are not mandated for the people of God (Rom. 2.26–29; 4.9–12; 14.1–23; 1 Cor. 7.19; Gal. 4.10; 2.3–5; 5.2–6; 6.12–13; Col. 2.16–23). The Mosaic covenant has come to an end upon the arrival of Christ (Gal. 3.15–4.7; 2 Cor. 3.4–18), for the promises given to Abraham that all nations would be blessed have become a reality (Gal. 3.6–9, 14–18,