Render Unto God Your Integrity
Integrity As Wings of Faith
by
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We are all flesh; therefore, we are always close to sin and weakness. To continue the path of truth, we need support from our fellow Christians. Each of us must watch out for one another. We must continuously remind one another that we do not "own ourselves." We all belong to The One. Paid for, not by gold or silver, but by the most precious blood of Jesus.
If you do not love the truth, you do not love God. Now, who wants to compromise? At what price? Is there anything more important than the love and truth of God? If you do not care about the truth, you do not care about your "Salvation." As for me personally, I will not devote my life to something that is not true. What nourishes and defines my soul is the truth of God. As Christians, we must not make compromises to this world. Thus, we must remember to ask for help from the Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to kill or subdue the deeds of the flesh. (Romans 8:13) Once integrity is woven into our souls, we start walking in the path of truth.
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. "(Hebrews 10:26)
A man with integrity is consistently honest in his words and actions. He is continuously and logically in tune with reality and facts. Among other good attributes, as Christians, we choose to live by these good values: courage, patience, and diligence. Integrity enhances these values and should make you stand out as different from the rest.
Honesty starts when you tell the truth. Integrity starts from the truth within you. Integrity is acting and saying the facts even if no one believes. Integrity is complete soundness of character and adherence to righteous principles. We learn these principles through the truth of the scriptures.
Next, think of approaching God through spirit and truth. Permit the Holy Spirit to direct you. Believe that truth is the only weapon you need to have peace. To achieve peace is not just to walk in truth, but to accept and keep it.
You will have to be disciplined and accepting of your human flaws on this journey. After all, perfect integrity is an unattainable ideal in our fallen state. So, you must have humility and a new conscience. But as integrity is upright, when you fall, stand and accept your mistakes and be willing to correct them immediately.
We are a work in progress that will take this lifetime. But know that if we honestly try our best, our efforts are rewarded with the joyful hope of dwelling in the house of the Lord. (Ps.23-6).
How Do We Win Over "Us”?
Genesis tells us how Adam used his own free will to accept Eve's invitation to eat from the fruit of the tree of knowledge. The account goes on to tell how our first parents suffered the consequences of that choice. Now everyone, as their descendants, live with those consequences. One might ask why God allowed them to make such a choice? The answer is free will.
God gave us free will as a gift. This gift of freedom allows us to choose between what is right and wrong. He did not want robots that He could program. He wanted us to love and obey Him. Our free will is a fundamental step toward entering into a relationship with our Creator. We must choose to bring our thoughts, desires, and actions into alignment with the will of God. We must choose to allow our trust in God, and His plans for us, to supersede our own will. Doing so will lead us to live in the liberty of joy and eventually to the peaceful life eternal with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As discussed in yesterday's devotional, The Lord did not take our free will away from us. We are open to doing what is right and free to do what is wrong. Unfortunately, our free will and our ability to choose to become entangled with right and wrong issues when faced with fears come. It can become challenging to weigh compromise versus steadfastness. When confronted with tests and trials, humans tend to try to find the easiest way out--even if it means ignoring the truth. Alternatively, they may make their choice based on what they think to make them happy. However, happiness is fleeting and will eventually fade. So, in the end, its pursuit has no merit; it is worthless and an act of selfishness.
What do we lose when we choose to sin? God moves away from us. God forgives us, yes. But God cannot be where sin is. When you sin, you not only must deal with the consequences, but you will also feel the impact of the fall from God's fellowship. You will suffer the pain of being down in muck and mire.
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)
So how do we start the process of winning over "Us"? By using our free will to choose to follow God.
As a race, humans have refused to acknowledge that God is faithful to His promises. Believing in God's faithfulness is an essential step in winning ourselves over to Christ. The only truth is what God plans for us. God's will be for His people's love to be one with His love. Trusting in His promises is often neglected in our beliefs and inactions. This neglect is a clear rejection of a relationship with our God, who is Righteous and Just. Why do we doubt our Creator and still choose to sin? For the temporary satisfaction of fleshly and earthly desires. Understand that man and God are different in multitudes. God is the power. Man is the receiver of His power.
Understand that man and God are different in multitudes. God is the power. Man is the receiver of His power. Man is dependent on God for all aspects of his existence. The life of a man is an extension of God's grace. God's love, God's plan, God's will, God's purpose. As we live our lives, God guides us.
God delights in His creation. Man forgets the Creator. Man lives to his fullest without plans, purpose, will, and love of his Creator. Man forgets, but God sees and hears all things.
God provides, and God forgives. Humanity continues to neglect the presence of grace in their lives. God continues to pursue us with His grace. God protects us from our weakness. To those who put their trust in Him, God secures their steps and works to succeed in their plans.
"There are many plans in a man's heart. Nevertheless the Lord's counsel that will stand." (Pro. 19:21)
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About the Book
For Christians, our ethics should reflect the tenants of right and wrong put forth in the Bible. The Ten Commandments are the example of God giving His people a code of ethics to live by. As you read through them, consider how these laws would apply to ethical living today.
During my study of the Holy Bible, I learned to understand God’s love for His people. God did not abort His plan when Adam sinned. He went on to choose Prophets and even talked like humans to comprehend Him. Remember, God is not like us. He has a Divine prerogative to do His own will as the Holy Deity. Our Creator, who is Self Existent does not need any of us at all. God had grand plans for the human race, kept His promise to save us by sacrificing His Son to atone for our sins. It is God’s integrity that keeps us all on this earth. We must acknowledge God’s faithfulness of His love. This devotional book intends to teach us how to learn God’s truth and use them towards building our integrity.
About the Author
MC Jarman is a retired English teacher, Registered Nurse, and cancer survivor. She is blessed with six children and six beautiful grandchildren, married to a Psychologist. Her spiritual faith has always been an integral part of her life that helped many here and abroad. She serves as a Spiritual Life Coach as a servant of Jesus Christ. She stands in the gap through the power of prayers, interceding for her family and friends. Her compassion is worth as her hope in her heart. Her dedication to unfold the Holy Bible’s treasures has flourished with the Holy Spirit’s help, which allowed her to write this Devotional Book.