Integrity

Good morning everyone! I hope you all are doing well!

Okay - scripture right away for you - "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place." (Psalm 51:6)

Lately God has been opening up the thought to me about being a Christian of consistency. That means, being a person of integrity. What I say and how I live are according to how I believe. This verse was part of my devotionals today - yes, two of them that I read both talked about this topic (think God's trying to tell me something?) :)

When I read this verse I look at how God wants my life to reflect my deep down faith in Him. He wants me to be a consistent Christian, not a part-time one. This a full one, every day in and out blessing on my life. And it revolves around my obedience.

Oh, how I kinda hate that word. Obey. Do you know how hard being obedient can be sometimes?!? It is difficult! It is not easy being obedient!

But that is the great thing about integrity - you do the right thing, especially when it is hard. And Jesus had told us that our life will not be easy. In fact He tells us that persecution is a sign of being identified with Him.

I got a good picture of this last night. I watched "The Passion of the Christ" with my youth last night and it impacted them profoundly. I am so glad they got the opportunity to see a very real depiction of what Jesus endured to make His sacrifice perfect for us. Anyway, as I was watching the movie, I really was moved by the scene where Simon the Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross up the hill. Simon was with his daughter, and as the Roman soldiers order him to help Jesus, he first says that he is not acquainted with Jesus and he wanted the people to know that he wasn't. He knew that people would associate that and they would look down on him for that. But as they continued together, Simon gets a real glimpse of who Jesus was and how innocent He was. I tried putting myself in the place of Simon, standing next to the bloodied Savior, helping Him carry His cross. Simon eventually becomes identified with Christ. As they continue, (and part of this is the elaboration of the director - which I do really like this part) Simon utters something very prophetic. Jesus cannot go on and Simon says to Him, "Almost there. It is almost finished." Simon encourages the Savior and identifies myself with Him.

Would I have done that? I don't know. Following Jesus at that time was much different then it is now, and it makes me wonder why that is. We do not face the same kind of persecution. I can still live a life of complete safety and be a follower of the LORD.

Am I failing as a follower of Christ? Is my faith lacking?

I want to live boldly for the LORD. And I know that the world has changed; but I want to be a man of integrity. I want my life to strongly reflect all my hope in Jesus Christ. I want people to know without a shadow of a doubt that I am identified with Christ. And only Christ can claim that on me - that's an act of His grace - not anything I can do.

So, I submit and want Christ to change me. I want Him to transform me and let my faith move in a way that only brings glory to the Father. I want to be all about that. I want to be a consistent Christian - I'm tired of this inconsistency in the world. I submit and surrender to Him. He knows what is best.

Is there anyone else that wants to start a revolution. Is there anyone that will join me?

God's blessings to you all. Love you.

Brandon