Integrity- People of God

Many people would rather serve God than obey Him. In servingthey can feel justified in their efforts of doing good deeds, while in their heart they continue with their acts of unkindness, hate and resentment toward others. In their act of sacrifices they can rationalize their refusal to forgive those who have wrongedthem. God has called us to forgive and love others and He wants obedience rather than sacrifices. Refusing to obey is rooted in stubbornness and rebellion which God calls,witchcraft and idolatry. When we obey God our life will be one of true service and sacrifice for the love of God. 

1 Samuel 15:22-23a  So Samuel said: “ Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings an sacrifices, As in obeying the vice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry… NKJ

To be obedient to God we must love, forgive and pray for those who hate and despise us. Some people want to hold on to their anger, because of their pride and arrogance, but God has commanded His people to love their enemies and do justly to the unjust. This can only be done through the power of God and the Holy Spirit. If you refuse to forgive can you really say you know God and have the Holy Spirit living within you?

Matthew 5:44-46 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? NKJ

There is a philosophy that is being taught today to young parents that they should not teach their young children to obeythem. They are to instruct their children and then allow the child to choose to obey or not. Even though they are children, some parents still believe their children have the right to make their own choices. How ludicrous and foolish is this, children have no since of right or wrong until they have been taught and corrected. This is spiritual wickedness that is trying to corrupt our children and teach them stubbornness and rebellion, which is as witchcraft before God. 

Proverb 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from them. NKJ

Some people are saying we should not train, correct or regulate our children, but this is how they learn to live in a society. There are rules regulations and laws, for which there are harsh consequences if people fail to obey.  Children who have not been taught to obey or respect authority in the home will grow up thinking they can choose not to obey the law and those in authority. As they grow older and continue in this way they may find themselves in court or a detention service which couldput them in correctional facilities, to correct and discipline themfor their unwise choices. There is a way that seems right to a person but only ends in destruction!

Proverb 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. NKJ

Some people would rather lean to their own understanding and life experiences, rather than take the Bible as the true written instructions from God. He has given instructions for His peopleas to how to live a good life. Sometimes because of the ill representation of their parents, harsh treatment and mean ways, some people will ignore God’s word and refuse to follow His way. Needless to say, people are not perfect in raising childrenand this could be seen as a misrepresentation of God’s word.  

Some parents try do the best they can with their ability and knowledge they have at the time, even though it may have been wrong. Some Parents do not have a good understanding of God’s word and instruction while training their children, butlet’s hope, when they learn better, they will do better! Some parents are just wicked and ungodly and that is why God tells us to obey our parents in the Lord, that is in doing what is right and not evil. 

Proverv3: 5-7  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes: Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. NKJ

God’s word is never wrong and His love, forbearance and mercy toward us is continuous. This is why we must search out the real truth of Jesus’ love in His word and not allow our emotions, history and social influences dictate what is right or wrong in training and correcting our children. The word of God is given for correction, chastisement, edifying, instruction, enlightening and improving. Discipline and correction can come from the word of God. When God speaks on a matter let His word be the rod that corrects.  

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

God knows we were born in darkness under the curse of sin and Satan has blinded the eyes of the lost. Christ came that we might know the truth of God’s word, be set free from the curse of sin and that our eyes would be open to the light of His gospel. The good news of Christ is the return of God’s Kingdom on the earth that we do not have to continue in darkness and walk in obedience to God’s word according to His way.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. NKJ

Jesus is our example, and many people will say they cannot love like Jesus because He was the Son of God. God has called us sons and daughters of the Most-High God and has given us His Holy Spirit to lead us in all truths. We are to acknowledge God in all we do and ask that the power of the Holy Spirit will lead and strengthen us to do His will. Jesus in His flesh did not want to go through the trial that was before Him. He asked the Father to remove that cup, but asked for the Father’s will to be done above His own. It was in His suffering that Jesus learned obedience to God. We being born of sinful flesh must set aside our rights to self and humble ourselves before God and ask Himto give us the will to obey and let His will be done in our lives.  

Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. NKJ

Hebrews 5:7-9 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. NKJ

We are to teach our children not only to listen but to obey. Learning to obey and honor the parent is a forerunner to theirlearning to obey and honor God. We as a people must learn how to obey the word of God in order to teach our children a godly respect for those who are in authority. How will they respect God, the One who created the world when they do not respect those who brought them into the world, if they have not been taught? This is a scheme of wickedness from Satan to destroy our children and those created in God’s image. God is looking for those who not only hear the word but will obey it also that it may go well with them and they will have long life.

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother.” Which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” NKJ

Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” NIV