Integrity- People of God

Christ came and lived on the earth in the body of a man, He laid aside His Godly glory and restricted Himself as man, to the same power and authority as mankind, which is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Some people sneer at the command for us to live like Christ, saying course He could live righteous, because He is God. But Jesus lived and suffered as a man and only operated through the same power of the Holy Spirit that humanity have accessed to. This is the same power we have access to through faith and obedience to the Holy Spirit of God. 

1 Peter 4:1-6 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

We are told to ready ourselves with the same mind as Jesus, that we will no longer go after the things of this world, the lust of the flesh or the pride of man. We are to stop doing the things we use to do before we came to faith in Christ. Our old friends will think us strange or may even call us fools because we no longer live like them. We are to let God judge them and defend us as we live according to God’s Holy Spirit living in us. 

We must understand when the Spirit of Christ is in us, the world is in opposition to the God that lives in us. When the world attacks us, they are attacking the Christ in us. We are to be considered blessed when we are criticized because of the glory of God is so upon us. That is why the world begins to attack us as they did Jesus because the spirit of God being reflected in the earth through us.

When Christ followers go through fiery ordeals we are not to set up a pity party for ourselves, thinking we are the only ones experiencing such hardship.  Our focus should not be on ourselves and all that we are going through. Instead, our focus should be outward toward the betterment of others and to the bringing glory to God in that situation, and to not let self be the main focus.

Our perspective is everything, it is the bedrock of who we are and will determine how we view ourselves, and the people and things around 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 self, or to have our focus only 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.  

Serving for God’s Glory:

1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.  And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”  Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 We are to live this life with eternity in mind, being prayerful and watchfulknowing that the time of Jesus’ return is near. We are told to be eager and enthusiastic in loving others who may not look like us or talk like us or believe like us. We are to show love, and it is with the love of God by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to love those who have offended us. The Holy Spirit will give us the love of God and enable us to showlove, so that we may forgive many sins and not find fault. 

 God has given us gifts and we are to use these gifts to bless others. Many people think their gifts are only for themselves, to make a name or earn wealth for themselves. But we are told we have received these gifts to minister to others as good stewards of God’s grace. We are to do all things with the light of the glory of God in mind that others may glorify Jesus because of our faithful work.     

When we begin to understand that we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of men, then we can begin to operate in purpose. We are able to become a servant to those who should be serving us. We can be at peace though we are going through trials, hardships or troubles because we understand our purpose and the eternal ending to this voyage and expedition we call life.   We realize these attacks, sufferings and distresses are aimed at us, but the battle is really for the souls of those who are persecuting and abusing us. Our afflictions, tribulations and persecutions are considered light, in comparison to the purpose of saving another person’s soul from eternal destruction. 

Suffering for God’s Glory:

1 Peter 4:12-19 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. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Now “if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. NKJ

We are told not to think it a strange thing when there is a testing of our faith, because our faith is only validated when it is tested. Some people will say they are children of God and believers of Christ but when the truth is tested in their lives then we will see what they truly believe in their hearts through their actions. Some will say they love God and His people, but when tested to do what is righteous by the marginalized and destitute some will forfeit their beliefs for what will benefit themselves and their finances. It is then that their true beliefs are revealed. They will allow the cares of this world to choke the word of God from their lives because they do not really trust God to provide.  Some may give up saying there is no use in trying and they will choose the immediate satisfaction of the moment over the promises and eternal peace of God.

Some people will go through their hardships and trials, thinking that they will be blessed in the end. But actually, the blessings are byproducts of us accomplishing God’s goal. Which is for us to show His love in the middle of the trial, being patient and being His light in dark places. Thereby they will be showing God’s mercy and forgiveness in those difficult situations. God’s purpose and plan for our lives is to show His compassion and love in these hard and difficult times. It is in these situations that we demonstrate our faith and trust in God by showing the likeness of Christ in the face of adversity. 

Some people when they have hard times 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 that sin is in this world. These problems and suffering are part of the fallen life we live, but we can use these things to bring God glory when we persevere and become victoriousthrough faith believing that God would provide in every situation.

 Our perspective and outlook on a situation will often dictate our response to what we are going through. Life is more about how we view what we are going through, than what we are actually experiencing. When we view life’s problems through the lens of God’s word we realize that what is actually happening to us is nothing strange, but how we respond to the matter is of the utmost importance!

With every new truth God reveals to a believer it could start a new spiritual cycle of validating His truth. It is when we hear the word of God that the seed of that truth and life is planted into our hearts. The enemy or life’s struggles will come to test our belief in that truth.  We are able to stand when we continue to speak God’s word over the situation and know His truth on the matter. The Bible says, though we be troubled on every side, we are not to be distressed; though we are persecuted, but we have not been forsaken. These afflictions are but for a time and a season. Once we persevere through this cycle, the experience and faith that we gain will work in us and through us as an exceeding and eternal weight of triumph.

We cannot speak what we do not know. The Holy Spirit is in us constantly bringing new truth to us in different areas of our lives and these truths will be tested, but we can stand by the power of God’s word. The spiritual cycle of life is when a truth of God’s word is planted into our spirit.  Then we must choose to die to the old self and persevere through the testing of His truth. When we stand on these truths, the world will see God’s glory manifested in our lives and thereby giving hope to those in the earth. This is a continuous cycle that will begin when a new truth is given by the Holy Spirit and as we are being transformed into the image of Christ.

No matter the situation, we can trust God to bring us out and be victorious. To be content in our circumstances is to say we trust God and His faithfulness to meet our needs exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think. It is our contentment that confirms our trust in God. When we seek God’s kingdom work first and not the fame of the world, we will show that we trust God with our lives and for our provisions.

To seek God’s kingdom is to look for God in every situation, in every trial, in every test. God has a kingdom purpose in everything that is done. God is transforming us into the image of His Son and He is showing that Imageand that light, to a dark world through us. If we faint in unbelief or fear when we go through trials, we respond no differently than the world and God’s glory is not revealed. When we have peace during trials with contentment, people will know there is something different, a different Spirit, a Kingdom Spirit that is in us. This is not a natural thing, as we all can attest. To have peace in trials and to be content happens by the God in us and the power of the Holy Spirit.

God does not create the evil that is in our lives. There is evil that is in the world because of sin. We may go through this process, but we are to show the light of God that is in us to a dark world, because we respond differently, by faith in God. He will not allow evil to overtake us beyond what we are able to endure, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to provide a way of escape from every difficult situation and temptation but the decision remains ours, to seek God and to take the wayHe has provided.