Jesus was constantly setting a pattern for His disciples, establishing the standard of what a Christian life and ministry should be. He illustrated this by His attitudes (Phil. 2:5) and by His actions (John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21). (Google image, Man of integrity ) "A man of integrity is honest and ethical, but not only with others – with himself."
Paul was conscientious in setting an example which he could commend to his converts as a role model:
You yourselves know how you ought to follow our
example (2 Thess. 3:7).
We did this . . . in order to make ourselves a model
for you to follow (2 Thess. 3:9).
I became your father through the gospel. Therefore
I urge you to imitate me (1 Cor. 4:15-16).
As a Christian leader you are responsible to be a role model for God's people. No word, no attitude, no action of yours should be unworthy for your people to emulate and follow.
Whether we deserve it or not, we, our companions, and our children are marked people. The public holds higher standards for us than they do for themselves.
Our lives can honor Christ and be powerful sermons only when we live in the holy integrity that always reflects Christ and always points others to Him. Our personal ethical goal must be Christlikeness.
The Holy Spirit must constantly guide us so that our integrity is above reproach and so that our lives commend the gospel. I give only a few examples:
1. Be above reproach in all your personal actions and leadership duties. You always represent God and the church. You are a marked person wherever you go. Your priority commitment is to Christ and your ministerial responsibilities.
2. In every ethical decision make Scripture the standard for your action. If there is no clear scriptural statement to guide you, base your decision on the general tenor of God's Word. You can always ask the question, "What would Jesus so? What is the Christian thing to do?"
3. Keep your speech, dress, habits, hobbies, and lifestyles in balance between what is appropriate in your leadership role and that which is appropriate for you as a Christian in a world of great spiritual and physical need.
4. Be an example in your person and home in cleanliness, orderliness, harmony, and godliness.
5. Be an example of consideration, fairness, sensitivity to the feelings and rights of others. Always show respect in all interpersonal relations.
6. Be an example of gentleness and maturity in your reactions to the thoughtlessness, affronts, insults, opposition, and hostility of others. All must be responded to with forgiveness and prayerful Christian love.
7. Be an example in circumspection and discretion in all relations with the opposite sex. Be particularly watchful of relations with the opposite sex. Be particularly watchful of the latent snares in your role as a spiritual counselor. Be vigilant to keep your thought life pure as in the sight of God.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
Ablaze for God
#97 Integrity in Personal Ethics
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 288- 289) ZondervanPublishingHouse
Father, Your Word makes it clear that as Christian leaders we are responsible to be roles for Your people.
Our words, attitudes and actions are to be worthy of Your people to follow.
As the public holds a higher standard for us than they do for themselves, we must live in holy integrity that always reflects Christ and points them to Him.
We'll need Your help to keep our speech, dress, habits, hobbies, and lifestyle to be in balance between what is appropriate in our leadership role and that which is appropriate for us as a Christian in our world of great spiritual and physical need.
May we be examples of gentleness and maturity in our reactions to the thoughtlessness, affronts, insult, opposition, and hostility of those we come in contact with, and to respond with forgiveness and prayerful Christian love.
Guide us each day to honor You with personal ethics which help us be Christians of integrity. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Our words, attitudes and actions are to be worthy of Your people to follow.
As the public holds a higher standard for us than they do for themselves, we must live in holy integrity that always reflects Christ and points them to Him.
We'll need Your help to keep our speech, dress, habits, hobbies, and lifestyle to be in balance between what is appropriate in our leadership role and that which is appropriate for us as a Christian in our world of great spiritual and physical need.
May we be examples of gentleness and maturity in our reactions to the thoughtlessness, affronts, insult, opposition, and hostility of those we come in contact with, and to respond with forgiveness and prayerful Christian love.
Guide us each day to honor You with personal ethics which help us be Christians of integrity. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Heb. 10:24, 25 (NKJV) "And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works.
(v.25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting
one another, and so much the more as you see
the Day approaching."
James 3:17 NKJV) "But the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing
to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality and without hypocrisy."
Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) "For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."
Heb. 10:24, 25 (NKJV) "And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works.
(v.25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting
one another, and so much the more as you see
the Day approaching."
James 3:17 NKJV) "But the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing
to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality and without hypocrisy."
Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) "For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."
~ Ron Hutchcraft- "Faith is the key that unlocks all the great things God has for you, and He isn't about to let your faith stay the same size. He's in the faith- enlargement business. He's let something come into your life that defies human solution, that overwhelms human answers, so you can experience how big your King really is. When the bad news gets even worse, your God does not get smaller. He is still the Sovereign Lord; the great and powerful God. Let yourself be overwhelmed by the God you have and you'll find that nothing but Him is truly overwhelming!"
(Taken from A DAILY WORD with Ron Hutchcraft, Vol. One, Food for your Soul.)
Today's popular post-
God Knows
Today's question-
Is it important that you vote?
Yes! If you live in the USA, we're having some a very important elections the 6th of November. Please choose and vote for men and women of integrity and strong ethics who support our founding fathers' constitution, which was created for us to be a nation under God's leadership. Vote for those who more closely line up with your beliefs and desires for leadership in your area.
Things will grow much worse than they are, if we don't vote for those who support our constitution, right to life and God's plan for marriage.
Thanks for voting!
Is it important that you vote?
Yes! If you live in the USA, we're having some a very important elections the 6th of November. Please choose and vote for men and women of integrity and strong ethics who support our founding fathers' constitution, which was created for us to be a nation under God's leadership. Vote for those who more closely line up with your beliefs and desires for leadership in your area.
Things will grow much worse than they are, if we don't vote for those who support our constitution, right to life and God's plan for marriage.
Thanks for voting!
Upcoming posts-
#98 Integrity in Finances
8th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Sky Garden
10th- Saturday's post by Bill Crowder
#99 Integrity in Ministerial Ethics
13th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#100 Be Filled with the Spirit
15th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage.
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