Integrity- People of God

Jesus told us, if we abide in Him and His word abides in us, we may ask what we will and it shall be given. To abide is to stay with, to dwell in, to reside or to continue in a relationship with the same attitude. How do we abide in Jesus? We dwell with Him, stay with Him and get to knowHim as our Lord and King? Just as anyone we want to know better orlive with, we spend time with Him. We interact with the people we want to know, we listen to their words and observe their ways. This is how we abide in Jesus, we listen to Him and allow His words to dwell in us and observe His ways.

John 15:7-8 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, youwill ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. NKJV

The Bible is the word of God.  They are love letters from the God who loves us, the Creator of heaven and earth. God took time to give us not only His spoken word through His prophets but He gave us His written words of love. How can we say we love Him and will not spend time to get to know Him? It is impossible to love someone we know nothing about and refuse to get to know or spend time with them or to learn theirways. It is like trying to have a long distance relationship with someone but refusing to talk to them or hear about them and never taking time to get to know anything about them. The Bible is the breath of your Beloved God, His essence and His Being and if we love Him we would want to know Him and be in His Company. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17   All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV

God gave us the ultimate Gift of Love, His Son Jesus, as our Savior to be our Deliverer and Protector. We were created to be God’s Belovedbut we fell from grace but Jesus our Redeemer came and restored us into the family of God so that we can be called children of the Most High King. God gave us His scriptures that we may be profitable, righteous, complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.  No wonder this fallen world works so hard to keep God’s people from this truth,from learning about Him and His kingdom, they do not want to see God’s people profitable, complete and thoroughly equipped. 

John 15-   No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.  These things I command you, that you love one another.

We are not only His family He has called us His Friend. A friend is one who knows how to interact with us, who knows our ways and knows how to express love and appreciation in ways others may not. Jesus has called us friend, but can we say the same? Have we taken the time to know Him, His character, observe His ways and know His attributes?  Do we know His love language; can we speak His love language? Jesus our Sovereign King and Friend has commanded us to love one another. It was not an option or suggestion but a command. 

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

True love gives from the heart and God’s love gave its best. God gave His only Son to redeem us from the curse of the fall, so that whoever places their faith and belief in Jesus would not perish, because Christ paid the debt in full. Whoever is, no matter whom; anyone that has a true belief in Jesus will be saved.  God’s love sent Jesus not to condemn the world but provide a way back into a right position with God. So many people call themselves Christians and yet they condemn just about everyone for anything they do not like. 

Matthew 18:3-5  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

We are told to have a childlike disposition and temperament, young children easily forgives, they do not harbor anger or malice. Even after a major altercation young children are quick to reconcile and return as friends because they have not been trained in the world’s way of pride and self-centeredness. They are not consumed with their rights and who has done them wrong. Children are more concerned about moving on to the next thing so they can engage and play and are not concerned with their pride.

The word Christian and Christianity seems to have lost its true meaningand has been watered down by society. It appears as though anyone who engages in some church activity or become involved in some moral topic will call themselves a Christians, which they are not. Thus there is an eroding of the true meaning of being a Christ follower, one who livesas Christ lives, to love as God loves. Christ followers do not condemn those around them but become ministers of reconciliation of men and God. 

We all may need to ask ourselves the question of who are we really and who are we reflecting? Have we been beguiled by the sly one into thinking we are right while at the same time operating and believing in this fallen worlds system, of our society or our clans? Many have never taken the time to read God’s word, to commune with Him or to know the truth of Jesus as Lord and King. They do not know His love for all mankind, because all were created in His image. 

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. NIV

This is God’s love, it is not proud or boastful, and it is not envious of other when they are doing well. God’s love does not shame or disgrace another but seek the good for others and is not self-serving. God’s love is not easily angered, volatile, erratic, keeping track of every wrong thatis done.  God’s love rejoices when truth prevails and His love protects the weak and gives hope when there appears to be none. 

If we abide in Jesus we will remain in a constant relationship and fellowship with Him. He will direct us and we can chose to allow His Love to become our love for others. Our relationship with Jesus can become such a close relationship that our attitude and life will reflect His heart and His love for people. The things we pray for and ask will be what Jesus would pray, and therefore,  whatever we ask it shall be given unto us because we are one with Christ.