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

Ses s i on 2: The Di sc i p l i ned L i fe

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c. Isa. 57.15 – For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

d. Hab. 2.4 – Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

e. Matt. 5.3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

f. Prov. 29.23 – One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

g. James 4.6 – But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

h. James 4.10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

i. 1 Pet. 5.5-6 – Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.

E. Turning discipline into “private religion”

1. The Problem : conceiving of Christianity as simply a religion and practice of private morality and spirituality