Integrity- People of God

The act of salvation is an instant transaction in time that gives birth to a living spirit in Christ. Conversion is a process that is done over a life time. The soul may be saved and yet the mind has not been renewed, trained or converted to the things of God and His way of living and thinking. This is why we see some people who say they are saved, and very well maybe, and yet they live their lives the same way as the world, without any adherence or loyalty to God, His kingdom ways and principles.

Salvation is a regeneration, an act, a fact that transpires in a moment in time like the birth of a child. Once the child is born the process of learning and training of life begins. A new born baby is a person, yet the mind and body is underdeveloped and needs to be fed, taught and trained to live a responsible and productive life and the same goes for the life in Christ. We are all born into this fallen world system and have been taught according to a system that was established with the fall of mankind, and that was when Satan became the prince of this fallen world.  

Salvation is a gift from God given instantly to those who by faith receive Christ as their Savior. It is being born spiritually as infant in a childlike state, unlearned and untaught regarding the things of God and His kingdom on earth.   We are to feed on the sincere milk of the Word that we may grow in Him.

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye  may grow thereby: KJV

Conversion is to change from one thought or belief; to turn around completely; to alter the nature of or to change from one form of functioning and thinking to another. Therefore conversion, for a true follower of Christ, continues to be a lifelong process of renewing the way we think and transform our minds from the fallen ways that we were taught. We have been schooled and educated in this life to the fallen ways and now our minds need to know and be taught how to operate in God’s kingdom principles and ways. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him. Jesus came and brought a new way of living and thinking to those who are born into the kingdom of God on earth.

John 14:6   Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” NKJV    

Conversion alters one’s heredity and changes their nature, their ideology, their family ties and their social and economicpositions. To be born of God is to have a change in your bloodline, old things are passed away and all things become new. True followers of Christ are no longer led by theirfallen human nature and character that is rooted in the old way of thinking and in the lies they were taught that cultivates division, hatred, conceit and self-importance.   

True followersare converted through the knowledge of Christ which alters the mainspring of a person’s heart and soul which, will not only change their actions but their motives also. They will no longer be ruled by their natural affinities but to being led by the spiritual and supernatural nature of God. They will begin to desire to know their God, His principles, His kingdom ways and to do the will of the Father. 

As the Spirit of God gave life to Jesus, this same Spirit, when we are born again, enters into our lives. We become a living spirit born into the family of God by Christ Jesus. Most people who are born again do not realize their purpose or why they were born again. The enemy tries to keep God’s people in darkness as to their purpose. To be born again is a means to an end, and that end is becoming God’s image bearers. We are to learn how to operate in God’s authority and cultivate His kingdom on earth. The end is being part of a royal family andwe have a new culture, and are new citizens of the kingdom of God. This is the eternal life that we should know, the true and living God and we should reflect the glory of God in the earth by doing His will.

God has adopted us as His children and now we are children of The Most-High God.  Now God is our heavenly Father and King, so we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus was fully God and was born as the Son of Man and He gave His life so that we may live abundantly on earth. 

We are no longer part of this fallen world system. Though we live in this world we have a new home, a new family and a new citizenship in heaven. 

1 Peter 2:7-8 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

Many people are living in anxiety and stress because they have allowed the offenses of this world to be their steady diet and their daily sustenance, which feeds them and keeps them in a constant cycle of distrust and hate.  They are stumbling because they refuse to operate in forgiveness, love and the truth according to His Word. 

Great is the peace of them that love the word of God and live according to His kingdom principles and ways because they will not allow the offenses of this world to take root in their hearts or cause them to live in resentment and bitterness. 

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? NKJ

We were once strangers to God and His kingdom ways, but Christ came so that we may become children of God and joint heirs with Christ in His kingdom on earth. That is why we are called strange, because we are different from those who live their lives on earth only to satisfy themselves. We are not of this world but of the family of God and our real home is to be onewith God.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. NKJV

We were chosen by God to be royal priests to God, His own special people who will proclaim Him in this dark and perverted world and intercede for those who are lost. That is the office of priesthood, to represent and intercede for the people before God.  Through faith in the completed work of Jesus, people from every tongue, tribe and nation are able to come to God, to know and worship Him and to reflect His image on the earth. 

 Humanity went astray doing what they wanted and turning their backs on God.  God called Abraham and made a nation of people, the Jews, to represent Him on the earth.  God promised to send the Righteous Lamb of God, Jesus, who would one day come to take away the sin of the world.  Jesus, our High Priest would become the sacrifice to God and represent the people before God and to pay the price so that God would forgive their trespasses and sins.  Jesus sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for His people

1 Peter 2:11-12 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 Our hearts will develop idols that will compete with our allegiance and commitment to the love of God.  When we allow ourselves to be distracted and continuously focus our gaze at the things of this world, these things will become our priority, our heart idols and the center of our affection. The world has so many attractions that will try to lure the eyes of Christians from the word of Christ. We are told to let our eyes be focused on what is good and that is the light of Christ. If people allow this world to become their main focus, they will eventually find themselves living in darkness. 

 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. NKJ