Living as Disciples

Apostle Allison Smith Conliff discusses the necessity of spiritual discipline and total submission to divine authority. Drawing from the biblical account of the woman caught in adultery, the Apostle illustrates how Jesus prioritizes mercy and internal conviction over public condemnation. Listeners are urged to cultivate a transformed lifestyle by prioritizing the Bible as a manual for living rather than seeking guidance from secular sources like horoscopes. The message stresses that true discipleship requires active sacrifices, such as fasting and prayer, to maintain spiritual fitness against worldly distractions. Summarily, the Apostle calls for the congregation to remain vigilant and connected to God amidst global instability, ensuring their lives are anchored in faith and integrity.Key Points:The primary tools for maintaining integrity is the Bible, which serves as the "manual for living".Consistency: A believer must not just start in the Word but "continue" or "abide" in it. The sources define the Greek word for continue, mino, as remaining, adjourning, and waiting on God's instructions before acting.Transformation over Information: Integrity requires more than "head knowledge"; the Word must be hidden in the heart to produce a transformed life rather than just academic awareness.Condition for Success: Continuing in the Word is the condition for being a true disciple and receiving "good success" from God.Upon being "born again," a believer's spirit-man is made alive to righteousness, and their conscience becomes a guide.Conviction: The conscience brings conviction when something is wrong, allowing the believer to distinguish between right and sin.Choosing Righteousness: Maintaining integrity involves choosing to adhere to this internal conviction rather than going against it. This includes being honest even when no one is watching, as God sees "innermost thoughts".A major distraction is the tendency to "feed the flesh" by focusing solely on worldly needs like housing, cars, and meals.Sacrifice and Fasting: To grow spiritually, believers must often sacrifice physical desires, such as through fasting. This physical sacrifice is seen as a way to "sacrifice physically" to "grow spiritually" and move toward significant breakthroughs.God vs. the "Almighty Dollar": Integrity is tested when pressures of life arise; many back away from God when financial or life pressures mount. A believer must remember that the "Almighty God is greater than the almighty currency" and ensure God remains first in their life.Believers face constant pressure to conform to worldly standards, but integrity requires clear "demarcation".Rejecting Worldly Entertainment: Engaging in worldly parties or habits (like drinking) can "skew" a believer's lifestyle and confuse observers about their identity in Christ.Avoiding False Guidance: The Apostle warns against seeking guidance from "horoscopes" or "doctrines of men," which are viewed as placing other gods before the Creator.Handling Conflict: Integrity is maintained by walking in love and shining even when others, including biological or spiritual siblings, express hate or go against the believer.True integrity is found in total surrender, where the believer's will is replaced by God's will.Living for Christ: A believer no longer lives for themselves but for the One who gave Himself for them. This means not fighting God for "leadership" of one’s own life but surrendering all plans to Him.Active Learning: Being a disciple means being a "learner" or "student" who sits and learns God’s ways to serve in spirit and truth.Spiritual Fitness: Believers must remain "spiritually fit" through prayer and scriptural knowledge to fight against the "kingdom of darkness".Rec. Date: 12th Mar, 2023