Our Source of Integrity

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Today we are going to discuss a very important issue among Believers and followers in the body of Messiah.
We are commanded to make disciples…. to share the good news… and baptize those (Mitzvah)…

But what I see is the same thing the world sees in many cases.
A lack of integrity.
Believers many times will preach but will not practice what they preach.
And the result is, instead of making a disciple, we end up pushing them even further away.

It is human to error and we are to obey and also fulfill Commandments given to us. Among the Hebrew roots and Messianic groups, we hear much about being obedient. And to those Christians that believe we cannot obey because we are human and that is why Jesus Yeshua went to the cross…… was to nail the law to the Cross so we don’t have to obey it…. there is a complete breakdown and lack of understanding on all sides.

Throughout the whole body of Messiah, Christian’s, Hebrew roots, Messianic, Integrity is probably universally the greatest downfall we are seeing today. How can we possibly do everything and never make a mistake?
And sometimes when we say we are going to do something…. and end up not doing it…. what are the repercussions…. and are there some cases where this actually is okay? Do we fully grasp Integrity from the viewpoint of the Bible?

OUR SOURCE OF INTEGRITY

” Moreover, it is God who sets both us and you in firm union with the Messiah; He has anointed us, put his seal on us, and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee for the future.
I call God to witness …. He knows what my life is like…. that the reason I held back from coming to Corinth was out of consideration for you.”
2nd Corinthians 1:21-23 CJB

An important issue rav Saul / Paul had to address early in second Corinthians was the charge against him of dishonesty. There were those in the Corinthian Church or congregation who claimed Paul was double-minded because he never came to the city after promising to visit. This charge against his character had obviously influenced the thinking of enough people in the congregation for Paul to provide them with reasons for his change of plans. He explains that the Ruach HaQuodesh / Holy Spirits promptings and his previous letters to them dealing with painful issues were why he chose not to come.

It was not only Paul’s, The Rabbi to Gentiles, integrity being challenged, but also his motives in having a hidden agenda to promote himself. He responds to these false accusations and writes, ” Now this is our boast; our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s Grace”. 2nd Corinthians 1 verse 12 New King James.
Rav Saul/ Paul’s defense of his honesty and sincerity is his utter dependence on Adonai/ G-d. This is not something he has strived to achieve for himself…… but is the result of Messiah living in him…. and being obedient.

When we put our faith in Yeshua Hamashiach, the basic character we exhibit will be consistent with the character of Hashem YHVH. Our honesty and sincerity come not from trying to imitate Messiah…… as many cult religions do…. but instead, it comes from depending on Him to live His life in us. As Adonai increasingly transforms us to His character, we will naturally find ourselves wanting to be honest people, regardless of consequences. This is evidence of Adonai working in us…… this is one of the fruits we will produce.

There are times we are tempted to be dishonest because it will somehow benefit us and we know we can get away with it. We might even justify our actions by rationalizing that it is for the greater good, or it will save us from harm or protect someone. There are many excuses we can make to quench the conviction of the Holy Spirit / Ruach HaQuodesh. We know from Paul’s writings that the human nature is bankrupt. He himself says of himself,” for I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh….” ROMAN’S 7:18 NASB. In other words, we do not put confidence in the flesh or our own minds, because we are incapable of living the way Hashem intended out of our own abilities and disciplines. Yes, the law was not abolished…. instead, we have been given Adonai’s Spirit which indwells us…. guiding and directing us…. the small still voice. The Messianic life is not natural, but Supernatural in its working, and the default position of someone living in Messiah is that they act with honesty and integrity! An interesting favourite quote by Christians ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ” obedience to the law is definitely in that category!
It is a Holiness and righteousness received from Adonai, and like Paul, being rooted in Messiah is the only defense we need.
And remember…. in Hebrew, Torah means instruction…., don’t just focus on the first five books,,,,, the entire 66 books of the Canon are the instructions of Elohim!

Our prayer
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have been dishonest.
Thank You for Your work in conforming me to Your character and may the integrity You exhibit become my default position. THANK YOU, ADONAI, IN YESHUA’S MIGHTY NAME
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