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!
The Passionate Builder – blog 9/6/25
The Lord is very explicit about what is pleasing to Him. We mustn’t ever make assumptions, lest our hopes and dreams be dashed in an instant like those of the foolish builder!
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
– Colossians 1:9-12
Passion, by itself, has never built anything that lasts. If you desire to build a life that is truly pleasing to the Lord, then do so based on Truth. Never make assumptions. There’s only one way to build anything worthwhile in this life and that’s on the Rock (Jesus Christ).
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 rest of us won’t (think deeply about this second phrase!).
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.
Peace and unity in a community isn’t free. Some have quipped “freedom isn’t free”, which is very true. To maintain such things in a local church, there will be suffering because there is constant need for discipline.