Are You A Person Of Integrity?

This was a very spiritfilled service. It was one of those I-have-goosebumps times. You can’t always go by feelings, but on this Sunday the Holy Ghost was speaking to souls and it was a time of feeling. You know that feeling if you are a true Christian, that is our word for Pastor’s message.

We had a birthday this morning, Brother Tony Garrett had a reason to celebrate. Any time God gives you another year to work for him it is cause for celebration. Pastor started with the letter “I,” not sure where he is going with that, but I’m sure he will explain.

Integrity, that’s where he went and then things began to fall in place. Another word for integrity is moral, we must have good morals in order to live for God. There were men in the Bible days that showed integrity by obeying the instruction given them by God. In 2 Timothy 3:1, we are reminded that in the last days there will be perilous times. For men will be lovers of their own selves. There are many things listed in the following verses but the one that really stands out is in verse 4, where we find that men will be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Verse 5 really wraps up the way men will be in the last days. It says they will have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Now you have often heard the first part of that scripture, but the last is sort of skipped over. How is your relationship with your church family? Do you feel you are working with those who show integrity? Good morals that line up with the word of God are a must in the true Christian walk. It would be a real eye-opener if you would read the whole third chapter of Second Timothy.

We look back at men such as Noah, Job and Joseph, who stood strong through very hard trials. These men changed the outcome of situations that created an example that we must follow. If you read in Genesis 6:1-9, you will find that Noah found grace and favor in the eyes of the Lord. Then in chapter 5, you read about Enoch, who was a just man with integrity so that he walked with God and God took him to heaven. Then in chapter 39, there is the story of Joseph and the way his brothers betrayed him but he never lost sight of the will of God for his life. Then consider Job, even his wife tried to get him to curse God and die. Can you imagine pressure like that? But Job stood steadfast and came out victorious.

So now that we have looked at these saints of God, where do you feel you stand in the role of integrity? We have to search ourselves and make sure we are steadfast in the ways of God and willing to go through the trials that will eventually make us strong. We don’t always understand this, but God sees the future and we must have faith to lay our troubles on the altar.

The next letter will be “S.” Come and hear what Pastor Bob tells us about that letter.

We invite you to come worship with us at the Cove Mission of Hope in Lanagan, Mo. We are the church at the top of the hill with the steeple pointing souls to our Savior. Services are Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., with Bible study at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Until then, may God bless and keep us in his prayers.

Opinions expressed are those of the author.