Integrity- People of God

Kingdom success and this natural world success are two different things. We have been trained from birth to go after the natural things of this world to be successful and to make our family proud. Our various societies have outlined the steps we should take to be viewed as successful, be it through education, position, fame or fortune. We invest our time, talents and resources in order to gain influence, to increase our finances and power and we instill and teach these principles to our children and their children so that they will not fall behind in society. We send our children to the best schools that we can, teach them how to influence people and accumulate income the right way, according to society. And if they must, by any means necessary to be successful because they value success more than integrity.

But God has provided a very different way for success in His earthly kingdom which goes contrary to the ways of this natural world system and the way we have been taught. God as any good father want to see His children successful and increase in wealth but He is more concern with the state of our hearts and souls than He is with accumulating money. God created the riches of this world for His children to enjoy but the way they should go about obtaining wealth is much different than the world’s way. 

We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given.  The problem many followers of Christ they do not understand God’s kingdom principles and they try to be successful by using a fallen system that was not created for them, which is against Christ ways and rooted in darkness. Many people in this world are going after finances, fame and fortune, the worlds way, and are willing to devour the souls of men as bread in order to succeed. 

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. NKJ

Psalm 53:4 ​Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God. NIV

Through our saving faith in Jesus, God has transported us from the kingdom of darkness to His Kingdom, ways, principles and method of operation.  We are now citizens of a new kingdom with a new constitution that speaks to the principles, functions, and procedures that is in the word of God that we must learn to operate as ambassadors for His kingdom to be successful. God’s kingdom ways are in direct contradiction to the waysof this world. We are to humble ourselves if we seek to be lifted up, we are to seek others welfare and not our own and we are to die to self that others may live. 

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: KJB

True followers of Christ have been called to a higher occupation and mission in life. The world looks to take care of their own needs, their families and only those they care about, but true believers are called to care for the marginal, the homeless and even those who hate and persecute them. Jesus speaks of some of these contradictions in a number of statements in Matthew, where He tells the people, you have heard it said,but I say and tell you, which are higher truths of God’s kingdom principles. 

Matthew 5: 38-39a​“You have heard that it said, eye for an eye and tooth for tooth but I say do not resist an evil person… 

Matthew 5: 43-45 You have heard that it was said, “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” but I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Many have been born into the kingdom of God and still try to operate under that old constitution. Some may have accomplishment in this natural world but cannot flourish in God’s kingdom without understanding how to think differently to succeed in the supernatural things of God. The actions and motives of a person are weighed by God. The things men highly esteem is a disgrace in the sight of God. God looks at a person’s heart and motives and not their outward appearances.

1 Samuel 2:3 Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. NIV

Luke 16:15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your heart. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight. NIV

Most systems throughout the world place value on possessions and wealth above the welfare of the people and their souls.  Often time people do not realize the system processes they are using are destroying people, because it is all they know and have been trained to do.  

Christ followers are to change the way they think and view people and they are to seek the well-being of others above their own. We are told to humble ourselves and obey the word of God and in due season we will be lifted up. God’s ways are totally different from what we have been taughtthat is why we are told to die to self that we may live. 

1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. NIV

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. NKJ

Matthew16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake will find it. NKJ

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. NKJ

Fulfilling God’s purpose for us in the kingdom of God is success for true followers of Christ. God has placed each person in a family, race, nationality and country for a purpose that only they can fulfill. Our profession, occupation and mission in this life, are to be in a personal relationship with God our Creator, to resemble Him as our Father the Head of our family, to reflect His light in darkness and to reveal His love and glory to a lost world.

Some people may wonder why they live in a certain place, with a particular family, group or nation, it is all part of God’s Master plan. God placed us where He needed us to be that we may shine and reflect Him.  He implanted in each of us the things we need to be successful in that setting that we may be a blessing to those around us. He has put in us the ability we need to overcome obstacles that others may learn how to live in His kingdom and see His glory. 

Not everyone can be entrusted with the various callings and challenges of God on the earth to display His glory. Some may have the ability to obtain wealthy to establish His kingdom and not allow money to become their god. Others may be in a place of need or lack and will have much faith in God to trust Him for their daily provisions. Still others may be born in a place that is seen as people of low degree, persecuted and abused but will not be consumed with hate and bitterness but will be able to pray for the well-being and salvation of those who persecuted them. Whatever situation we have been born in God has given us the Holy Spirit and provided a way for us to escape these worldly temptations to destroy and hate others but the choice to take it  is ours to make. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. NIV