Integrity- People of God

When God created humanity He created them as spirit beings that resided in a natural body and He gave them a soul which houses their mind, their will and their emotions. The spirit of mankind had preeminence over the body and soul because it was the likeness of God’s Spirit which He gave to man. The natural body came from the earth and gave mankind the ability to navigate in this natural world and through their God like soul they could expressed their love and worship to God. Their emotions and souls were not then in this depraved fallen state.  We were created to fellowship and commune with God, but with the fall of mankind in the garden, they lost their God given spirit and their true identity which looked like and reflected God’s character.  

Prior to sin entering into the world and the fall of humanity, the very glory of God was on mankind. The Spirit of God, His Shekinah glory,dwelled in them and shined through them and God’s glory was present on the earth. With the fall mankind they lost God’s glory and was thenmarred in a fallen state which allowed the natural body with its fallen emotions to become preeminent in humanity. Mankind became beings who are now self-centered, self-focused and concerned mainly with their personal needs with little concern for others.   

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. KJV

Mankind had allowed Satan to come in and take over the dominion that God had given them to have over the things of the earth. The God like spirit that was in man died and their God given life, their bodies and their godly emotions became corrupted. Their emotions and will had fallen into a state of depravity no longer reflecting the glory and the unconditional love of God. The prideful, selfish image of Satan had replaced and usurped their God given authority.  But God in His love,mercy and grace would not leave humanity in that fallen state without hope. God promised a Saviour that would come and redeem mankind back to their original purpose, as image bearers of God to reflect His love and glory on the earth. 

The word of God tells us of God’s love for us and His promise of redemption. God’s love is so great for us and we are of such a great worth and value to Him that He would send His most precious gift,Jesus, to be our Savior.   Jesus came to pay the sin debt of all mankindand this is the most generous act of love from God. We are valued greatly in God’s sight and Jesus displayed our worth by coming and giving all mankind another chance to choose God rather than Satan. The enemy would want us to believe his lie that we are of little or no worth, but that is a lie.  The enemy of God would rather we feel worthless so that we would not aspire to fulfill our God given purpose, which is to reflect His glory and love on the earth. So many people walk around believing this lie living in low self-esteem and thinking that they are of no value, while we are of the highest of value and priceless in God’s eyes. 

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. KJV

Many people say they wish Adam and Eve had not sinned against God and they complain that they are paying for something someone else did. However, we all have the same choice we can choose to believe and obey God or believe and listen to the lie of Satan.  Everyone is born intothe state of sin because of the fall of mankind and thereby sin is their natural default position. However, with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ everyone is given another opportunity to make a different choice, the choice to believe and trust God through faith in Christ and to be restored back into fellowship and the family of God. 

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. KJV

Whoever believes and receives by faith the payment of Christ’s blood on the cross for their sins they will be born again as a new creation into the family and household of God. Everyone is given the same chance to once again choose to believe God and receive His mercy.  Those who refuse to believe will continue to live in a fallen world system that is rooted in lies, pride and the need for immediate self-gratification. This is entrenched in the merchandizing of human souls and the devouring as bread, people who are the image bearers of God, for selfish gain. 

Psalm 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge: who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.  KJV  

What the enemy meant for our total destruction, God in His unfailing Love, tender Mercy and abundant Grace, used for our better good and His greater glory. We were created the highest of God’s creation but we are no longer just his creation, those who by faith receive Christ as their Lord, are born into the family of God. We are now children of The Most High King, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus. We are God’s workmanship and we will be like Christ and our old vile bodies will be fashioned into His likeness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. KJV

The awesome wisdom of God took fallen humanity and transformed them into His children.  As it is in the story of Pinocchio, who was the highest of Geppetto’s craftsmanship and his delight was lured into trouble and was lost. However, through love and sacrifice Pinocchio was transformed and became a real boy, a son. We too wanted to go our own way and were lured by the things of this world but God would not leaveus nor forsake us. Though the world and the enemy of God will try and enslave and devour God’s people like bread, God has conquered the enemy and given us a new life. So great is the love that God has for us and we as His people are of great worth and value in God’s sight, therefore the opinion of mere man is inconsequential.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not KJV

2 Corinthians 6:18 I will be a Father unto you. You will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty NKJV