Tag: Integrity

Imitate good

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HIGHLIGHT

3 John 11 (ESV): 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

EXPLAIN

John wrote a letter of gratitude and encouragement to a faithful man named Gaius, who was helping itinerant preachers or traveling Christians as they passed through his area.

John had written a letter to Gaius’ local church, but Diotrephes, who liked to be first, would not recognize the apostle’s authority. Diotrephes also refused to welcome those Christians who were traveling through, and even sought to put out of the church those who did help people in need.

John encouraged Gaius not to imitate evil, but to imitate good.

APPLY

It could have been tempting, in order to get along with this strong church boss, not to help people in need, to give various excuses why one did not need get involved. Instead, one could have sought the good graces of Diotrephes who was “in charge” so that all would go well.

But Gaius had determined to do what was right. So John challenged him to continue doing so.

It does not matter who is in power or has the most influence, in government, at work, school, or in our local church. We must imitate those who do good, not those who do evil.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me always to imitate those who do good, and be worthy of imitation by those who seek to do what is right. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When the way grows dark

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HIGHLIGHT

Job 2:3 (ESV): 3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”

EXPLAIN

The story of Job fills us both with questions about God and suffering and yet also gives us comfort and hope in times of trouble.

Satan appeared before God in heaven twice. The first time, God allowed Satan to touch all that Job had. Satan proceeded to destroy Job’s oxen, donkeys and sheep, and to cause a storm to knock down the house in which Job’s children were feasting, killing them.

Job responded by worshipping God.

Now, Satan challenged God to allow him to afflict him physically. God allowed Satan to do so, only sparing Job’s life.

APPLY

This scripture is incredibly challenging for us. Do we live such a holy life that God would characterize us as blameless, full of integrity, fearing him and turning away from doing evil?

If God were to allow us to suffer even a fraction of what Job suffered, would we respond by worshipping God and maintaining our integrity?

Will we choose to respond to setbacks and difficulty in life with the same hope and faith in God displayed by Job?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live a holy life, blameless and full of integrity for your sake. When trouble comes, help me to worship you, trusting you completely and implicitly. Amen.