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

Ses s i on 7: F l esh i ng Out a Compe l l i ng Tes t imony : Di sc i p l i n i ng Our Di sc i p l i nes 321

that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

3. The just live by faith, i.e., trust and dependence on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: discipline, therefore, must always be seen as a faith-filled response to the supply of God through grace .

a. God’s righteousness is revealed in faith through Christ, not self-effort through discipline, Rom. 1.17 – For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” b. No matter what we do, without faith God cannot be pleased: we have no relationship with God except through faith in Christ, Heb. 11.6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. c. Outward conformity to rules and codes mean nothing before God; only faith in Christ which is motivated to love God and others, Gal. 5.6 – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

B. The comparison of externalism that competes

1. External rules and codes cannot produce a righteousness to create an acceptable relationship with God.

a. We are made righteous in the sight of God not by virtue of keeping external standards and rules, but through faith in Christ, Gal. 2.15-16 – We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; [16] yet we