KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:
As it applies to a local church, integrity means ALL members are functioning in their God-given roles (ala Ro 12:1-8).
When the Lord convicts you of your spiritual gift (aka, your role in the Body of Christ, the Church), it’s your duty to comply. Instead of being “disappointed” with God’s choice, you ought to be truly excited about the fact that you are valuable enough to Him to have been given a unique role to fulfill!
YOU have YOUR own ministry that is unique. And that ministry of yours is TRULY GOOD because GOD designed it especially for YOU to HIS glory!
Never underestimate your impact in this life!
The Bible Should Inspire, Not Depress, You – blog 8/29/25
With a clear line of sight on what is beautiful in each one of us, you’d think that everyone, by default, would be inspired. But that isn’t always the case. It’s easy to compare oneself to the biblical ideal (or even to others who may be good illustrations of it) and to come away depressed. This is precisely what our enemies would like to see!
The value of an ideal isn’t to focus on your failures; rather, it’s to focus on God’s sanctifying grace. It’s much less about past failures than future successes and much less about what others think than what the Lord thinks.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
– Galatians 1:10
The Bible is the most inspiring book ever written. Its Author is none other than God (the writers were merely instruments – 2 Timothy 3:16). He didn’t give us this book to cripple us with despair. May it never be! God’s Word is for our sanctification, where fruit bearing brings glory to Him. He’d be failing Himself if the outcome of our faith was persistent depression and an abiding lack of peace. My friend, that’s the lot of the lost in this world, not those of us who have been redeemed and set free from such bondage.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
– Galatians 5:1
Integrity has no “quit” in it; otherwise, it is no longer integrity.
We are to hold ourselves accountable so that others won’t have to. However, if we fail, others have the God-given right to do so, especially in the local church.
Accountability to the local church implies a reckoning. Based on Holy Scripture, as understood by a well-taught congregation, each member has the God-given duty to hold each other accountable to God’s divine standards.
By holding one another accountable in the church, we tighten up the reins of righteousness, and as a community become stronger together.