Integrity- People of God

Our perspective is everything, it is the bedrock of who we are and will determine how we view ourselves, people and thingsaround us. Thereby our perspective will dictate our actions, thoughts, responses and feelings in every situation. The natural fleshly perspective is fear and to see everything as it relates to or has a focus on self. The problems we go through, be it a loss of a job, home or loved one, most people’s attention is on themselves as though something strange was happening to them.  

Some peoples respond in a way that says God has failed, that He did not come through to protect or provide. But the spiritual perspective of faith is to understand life is chaotic, that Satan is an enemy and sin is in our world. These problems and suffering are part of the life we live but we can use them to bring God glory because He has made provision for us to persevere and become victorious. 

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 

Living in this fallen world is like living in water where things are continuously wet. In the world where we live there is no escaping the effects of sin, just as things in ocean are always wet. When mankind lost their Holy Spirit, their likeness of God,the world fell into this ocean of sin and now sin is part of this fallen world and therefor there is no escaping the process of becoming wet. But Christ has come and has given us a lifeboat that can take us out of the elements of the ocean of sin and can bring us into a life eternally without sin.  

Job 14:1-2  Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue. NKJ

Suffering is an unavoidable universal rule. It is a natural process of development and growth and can be used for learning obedience. How we view our suffering will determine our perspective toward life and God. This is where the battle begins, where the enemy will try to incite rage, anger and fear, but God’s word tells us to not be anxious, or afraid and to not linger over those thoughts of fear. 

Philippians 4: 6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We are not to let our minds stay or dwell on these fearful thoughts and be filled with the ongoing considerations that fear brings. We will make a choice, though it may be done consciously or unconsciously out of habit. The human mind can only hold one thought at a time and we are to turn our thoughts on those things which are true, pure and praise worthy and that is how you change your thoughts, hearts and perspective toward God and to conquer fear. 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

As a result of the curse at the fall, life struggles, trial and suffering are woven into the very fabric of this world. These tests are means of displaying one’s allegiance and loyalties whether it be to God or to the enemy and this fallen system. God has always given mankind a choice and an opportunity to reveal and exhibit whom they will obey. Sometime it is in the struggles and things we suffer that God’s children will turn to Him, His word and learn the process of being obedient to theword of God.

Hebrews 5:8-9 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

Deuteronomy 8:2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

All that the children of God do and everything they go through should be for the praise of God and to be a witness of God’s Love, mercy and compassion to a lost world.  Everyone will have troubles in this life and they will decide whether to run in fear and blame God, just as Adam did, or to live in faith and trust in God’s love as Job did during his struggles. Job did not understand why he was going through those hard times but he trusted God with his natural life and his eternal life, believing in God. Though Job did not know the reason behind his trials he trusted God even to the point of death and knew that God would be his defender. 

Job 13:15-16 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.

Life is a process of learning and growing. We are born again by the grace of God, through faith in the completed work of Christ. Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law and by faith we have been born again into the family of God. We become as children in God’s family with a new culture and a new kingdomand we must learn and study how to navigate in this new kingdom and its spiritual laws. 

As any child born into a family, they have the bloodline and the characteristics of that family. But being a child, they do not know or understand the meaning of their pedigree, until they are taught in the knowledge with an understanding of their family. So it is for those born again into the family of God, they also are not aware of their godly inheritance or lineage and His kingdom ways and principles until they are taught and learn His word.  

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.  I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; NKJ

Every person will go through troubles, the difference will be how we respond and react to these problems. When God reveals a truth and we decide to accept and trust that truth then there will be a testing to see our commitment, our integrity and our faith.  It is in these trials that we will display our true character, integrity and the love of God our Father. Our actions will attestand be a witness in both the natural and spiritual world for God’s glory.  

Abraham faced the test of the promise of God to be the father of many nations through his son Isaac. The proposed death of his son Isaac was hard but Abraham trusted God and believed His word was true and that God was able to raise Isaac up from the dead in order to fulfill His promise that through Isaac he would become the father of many nations. 

Genesis 17:3-4  Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:  “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.  NKJ

Darkness cannot stay where there is light, fear cannot coexist with praise and thanksgiving to God. What we allow to linger in our thoughts and minds will affect our perspective. The result of this battle will be of fear or faith!