Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- God wants integrity in His people (1 Chron. 29:17). A person of God must be known for holy integrity. Nothing is more important in a Christian leader.
Godliness is more than total mental commitment to the authority of God's Word and the doctrines of Scripture. We need that mental commitment, but that is not enough. (Google image, Integrity)
Godliness is also more than emotions of joy and love as we sing songs and choruses of the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God, of the love of Jesus, and of the power of the Spirit. We do need to be moved by Calvary until our hearts and eyes are filled with tears, but godliness is more than the holiest of emotions.
Godliness includes a commitment of the will that results in righteous actions and holy living. The eye must be clear and good before the body can be flooded with light (Matt. 6:22). The heart must be pure before the attitudes, thoughts, and words are consistently pure.
According to the Bible the faith that saves us also sanctifies. Personal commitment to Christ brings the indwelling of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit in its totality brings Christlikeness. The Spirit applies the lordship of Christ to all of life. There is no alternative to Christian holiness of life with its full ethical implications.
The character of a person of God is manifest in holy attitudes and holy actions. Unless holy words come from a holy heart they are powerless. And unless holiness results in total integrity it is a pseudo holiness. There is no person of God who can be careless about integrity.
Until the actions and manner of life are righteous and holy we know the heart is not holy. And until the heart is holy the person is not a person of God. The only true holiness is that which is manifested in consistent holy living. We are to "serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days" (Luke 1 :74-75).
This standard of holiness of life is not impossible for us because when the Holy Spirit fills us He conforms us to God's holiness by divine enablement. God's standard of holy living for His holy people is awesomely complete and high. We are to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
He has called us to a holy life (2 Tim. 1:9). We are being made holy (Heb. 10:14). We are to be holy (Heb. 12:14). We are to be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15), i.e. holiness is not just theoretical: it is to be practical. We are to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11).
Only with such holiness can we always live above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2) Since a Christian leader is "entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless" (Titus 1:6-7). Paul summarizes his meaning in the words "upright, holy and disciplined" (v. 8). We are to be "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless: (Eph. 5:27).
Our holy ethic is both positive and negative. Having become dead to sin we become alive to God. Our holy ethic is deadness to sin and world—a negative ethical separation in heart and life. It is also life to Christ and in Christ.
It is a positive ethic of godliness, righteousness, and holiness of life. We offer our bodies, and thus our whole beings, as living sacrifices to God, holy and pleasing in His sight (Rom. 12:1). We refuse to offer the parts of our body to sin (Rom. 6:13) and we deliberately offer ourselves freely and positively to God for the ethic of holiness (Rom. 6:13, 19).
We do not let sin reign in the body or through the body, but we let Christ reign on the throne of the heart; and His Spirit then lives out His reign in our practical living in righteous and holy ethical practice rising from holy character.
This makes us constantly concerned to maintain holy integrity in the eyes of all people. "Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody" (Rom. 12:17). "We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men" (2 Cor. 8:21).
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Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
Ablaze for God
#95 The Person of God and Holy Integrity
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 284- 286) ZondervanPublishingHouse
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| Prophetic words to inspire your praying (great message) |
Father, help us understand that godliness is more that total mental commitment to the Scriptures, emotional involvement and the joy of love.
May we see that godliness includes a commitment of our wills which results in righteous actions and holy living.
Help us see that our eyes must be clear and good before our bodies can be flooded with light, and our hearts must be pure before attitudes, thoughts and words can be consistently pure.
According to Your Word the faith that saves us also sanctifies. Our personal commitment to Christ Jesus brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit creates in us Christlikeness.
Your Spirit applies the lordship of Christ to all of life. May we remember there is no alternative to Christian holiness of life with its full ethical implications.
Help us not let sin reign in our bodies or through them, but to let Christ reign on the throne of our hearts. Your Holy Spirit then lives out His reign in our practical living in righteous and holy ethical practice rising from holy character.
May we cooperate with Your Spirit, Father, and become imitators of Christ Jesus in all that we do, exemplifying integrity in everything we do.
In Christ's name we ask this. Amen.
May we see that godliness includes a commitment of our wills which results in righteous actions and holy living.
Help us see that our eyes must be clear and good before our bodies can be flooded with light, and our hearts must be pure before attitudes, thoughts and words can be consistently pure.
According to Your Word the faith that saves us also sanctifies. Our personal commitment to Christ Jesus brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit creates in us Christlikeness.
Your Spirit applies the lordship of Christ to all of life. May we remember there is no alternative to Christian holiness of life with its full ethical implications.
Help us not let sin reign in our bodies or through them, but to let Christ reign on the throne of our hearts. Your Holy Spirit then lives out His reign in our practical living in righteous and holy ethical practice rising from holy character.
May we cooperate with Your Spirit, Father, and become imitators of Christ Jesus in all that we do, exemplifying integrity in everything we do.
In Christ's name we ask this. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Trust 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."
Is. 30:15 (NKJV) "For thus says the LORD God,
the Holy One of Israel: 'In returning and rest you
shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall
be your strength.' "
Is. 44:3 (NKJV) "For I will pour water on him who
is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour
My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing
on your offspring."
Today's guest post-Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Trust 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."
Is. 30:15 (NKJV) "For thus says the LORD God,
the Holy One of Israel: 'In returning and rest you
shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall
be your strength.' "
Is. 44:3 (NKJV) "For I will pour water on him who
is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour
My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing
on your offspring."
My Provider
Patti McLead-
"Looking over my calendar of monthly bills, I saw a huge problem.
I needed $2100 more than I had to cover bills. I had no idea how to get that many more bookings for our new Bed and Breakfast—and I needed them quickly. I prayed, but God told me, “If you want guests, you’d better get the cabins cleaned.” I laughed a little, hopped up, and loaded the cleaning supplies."
Today's question-
What is it that God gives us that supplies our needs?
He gives us more grace than we deserve or can expect! He encourages us to have faith in real life, and desires us to raise our thinking to a higher level than what is normal for us.
When we admit our weaknesses to God we are then ready for Him to add grace to help us in our situation. As He is a giver by nature, we're to follow His example to simply give when we have opportunities to do so.
We're encouraged to think big with God, and to remember that our not getting what we deserve is mercy, and getting what we don't deserve is grace. When we are humble and receive His grace, even more grace is given than deserved!
Heb. 13:15, 16 (NKJV) "Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that
is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
(v. 16) But do not forget to do good and to share, for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
(emphasis added)
What is it that God gives us that supplies our needs?
He gives us more grace than we deserve or can expect! He encourages us to have faith in real life, and desires us to raise our thinking to a higher level than what is normal for us.
When we admit our weaknesses to God we are then ready for Him to add grace to help us in our situation. As He is a giver by nature, we're to follow His example to simply give when we have opportunities to do so.
We're encouraged to think big with God, and to remember that our not getting what we deserve is mercy, and getting what we don't deserve is grace. When we are humble and receive His grace, even more grace is given than deserved!
Heb. 13:15, 16 (NKJV) "Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that
is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
(v. 16) But do not forget to do good and to share, for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
(emphasis added)
Today's quote:
~ Max Lucado- Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “The Lord disciplines those he loves.” If he must silence every voice, he will. He wants you to discover what David discovered and to be able to say what David said, “You are with me.”
Loneliness. Could it be one of God’s finest gifts? Scripture says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” If a season of solitude is his way to teach you to hear his song, don’t you think it’s worth it? So do I." (Loneliness, Max Lucado From Traveling Light)
#96 Integrity in Word
11/1st- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Take Down the Goliaths
3rd- Saturday's post by Max Lucado
#97 Integrity in Personal Ethics
6th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#98 Integrity in Finances
8th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
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| Debbie McEwen's photo Click to read her blog post, "My Heart Jumps for Joy" |
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage.
Excellent thanks for sharing.
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