Integrity- People of God

The glory of God’s splendor, abundance and fullness was in the world He created and mankind was the crowning glory of all His creation. Mankind who once walked in the fullness of God’s majesty and marvel, was now enslaved to the wickednessand dreadfulness of Satan and sin. Humanity was created in His image and likeness and with God’s glory upon them. The enemy came and seduced mankind and lead them astray. Satan then supplanted and replaced God’s glory with his darkness, pride and lies. God did not leave us without the hope of His Glory returning and promised us a Redeemer, a Savior and a Deliverer who would bring us back into the family of God for His glory.   

Genesis 1:26a, Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the earth….NKJ

Genesis 28a Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it: have dominion…. NKJ

Mankind became accursed under the dominion of Satan who hates all who are created in God’s image and has set systems and snares to derail their purpose and has tried to twist them into his perverted image of pride and hate. This world system was hijacked by Satan and all humanity was ensnared, captured and enslaved when Satan seized dominion of this world from Adam. 

God did not create mankind depraved and they are born unsullied but many are taught wrong, touched wrong and live in a society full of hate. They become a product of the life they were born into and the things they experienced. Satan ruled in the age of darkness until the light of God came in the life of Christ, who came to set us free and to open our eyes to the light and the truth of God’s word.   

Some people question why would God hold a person accountable for their actions when Satan and the acts of hateful men have twisted their mind into thinking that way? Because God has always provided a way of escape from the schemes of the enemy and has given everyone a will and the ability to choose to take the way out or to stay in that fallen state of being. It is the natural state of fallen mankind to want to get revenge and live in unforgiveness toward those who wronged us. It is our pride that wants to vindicate itself but it is not God’s kingdom way. Christ is our example and we look to Him to show us the way and we must choose to live in humbleness and forgiveness. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able , but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. NKJ 

1 Peter2:23 and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; NASB 

God has always had representatives in the earth to show His way, His word and His righteousness. From the beginning with Abel, to the Jewish nation and the prophets to Christ, God has always provided an example to the world and to show the way of salvation.  It has always been the choice of every person to choose whether they will remain in their fallen mind set or to let go and choose to obey the light of God’s word. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; NKJ

Jesus came and lived a life, to not only set us free from sin, butto show us the way of the Father.  He also gave us the power to live a righteous life through faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.   We all had to grow up in an evil world and may have suffered as a person who was treated wrong, handled and touched wrong or was hated unjustly. But we all will come into an age of accountability and we will decide how we will handle those hurts, whether we will let our past affect our present and our future or to let go, forgive and trust God.  

We may choose to live in a way that allows our pastexperiences to dictate our present mindset or we can let the love and the forgiveness of God be our standard. Some people will let what has happened to them as a child or in their past speak louder into their life than the word of God and who they are now in the family of God. We should release the past hurts and live in the new life we have in Christ. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJ

When we are born into the kingdom of God old things are passed away and we become a new creation. Now the responsibility is no longer of the depraved or demented person who harmed us, but now we must decide who will reign supreme in our lives, our past or Christ. When the love of God becomes our motive, we will no longer live for our selfish motives, for our rights or for the love of men, but we will live a life that will draw people to Christ and brings glory to God.  When we express the love God has shown to us through Christto others, this will give the hope of God’s love for them.  

Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together. NKJ

The riches of God’s grace were sent in the person of Christ into the world that He would seek and save those who were lost. The mystery of God is that non-Hebrews could now be saved and become joint heirs in the household of God. God is still sending His people into the word today through the life of Christ that others may see the love of God in them and this can become the hope of His glory in their lives. The Christ in us is sent to save deliver and rescue those who are in bondage. We may suffer injustices like Christ, but it is the love of God that is shown through us and the love that is given unconditionally to others that gives hope to those who are lost. 

The love of Christ in us can bring redemption, salvation and deliverance to people from their past devastation, presentsituation or future demise and possible failures. 

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NKJ