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 331

your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

3. We grow in Christ through steady perseverance: discipline, therefore, is our avenue to flesh out our disciple ship in the midst of the Church and before the eyes of those in our circle .

a. Discipline is called for not as an end in itself, but for the purpose of godliness, 1 Tim. 4.7-8 – 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. b. We will reap the spiritual harvest we seek in sowing to the Spirit in the Disciplines, only if we do not quit, Gal. 6.7-9 – Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. c. Our inner persons will continue to be strengthened, even though our physical bodies grow older, 2 Cor. 4.16 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

d. Our sharing in Christ demands that we learn the power of perseverance in Christ, Heb. 3.14 – For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.