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

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A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.

d. The experience of believers in this world is momentary, light affliction, 2 Cor. 4.17-18 – For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

e. The fight, the race, the faith, 2 Tim. 4.7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

f. Disciples struggle against sin, Heb. 12.4 – In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

g. We press on toward the goal of attaining the prize, Phil. 3.12-15 – Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

2. Practical insight: a disciplined rule or way of life is most helpful that forces us to strive with intensity and rigor after the prize for which we seek; it is a race, a pursuit.