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 333

b. We are reborn in Christ to do good works and give testimony to the world of the Father’s matchless grace, Eph. 2.10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. c. As disciples of Jesus, we are to devote ourselves to the Disciplines and works of charity, Titus 3.7-8 – so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [8] The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. d. The quality of our lives can silence the naysayers of the Kingdom, 1 Pet. 2.12 – Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evil doers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 3. As those providing testimony to Christ and his Kingdom, we are living epistles, being read and known by all people: discipline, therefore, is our ongoing attempt to show in our lives the credibility and attractiveness of a life given over to Jesus . a. Our lives will be read, as we discipline ourselves in the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.3 – And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. b. We must be ready to always make a defense to whomever would ask us for a reason for our hope in Christ, 1 Pet. 3.15-16 – but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason