There is so much emphasis in our culture to be “number one”, have success, “go with the flow,” and certainly don’t offend anyone by being “politically incorrect.” Many times, to do these things would require us to set aside our morals and beliefs.
Some people do that blindly to fit in or be accepted. To “sell your soul to the devil” so to speak has its consequences. In today’s reading, we are reminded that suffering will come. We are not promised a problem-free life. Verse 17 says, “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”
To be a person of integrity is to have strong moral principles and to be driven by honesty. When we are convicted to be Christ followers first, above all else, it is easier for us to maintain our integrity. We seek to please God and not man. We need to not be ashamed by our faith or who we follow. With compassion and gentleness, we need to be ready to share our faith at all times.
We should have peace so long as we live lives of integrity, holding fast to our faith, trusting God and his Word. A peace in knowing where we’re going and what our final reward will be. We will spend eternity with our Lord and Savior who showed us what it means to have integrity. He was sinless yet he took our sins upon himself and took them to the cross.
Jesus suffered, so, too, we suffer but on such a smaller scale. We need to keep that perspective at all times. We should act in ways that lead people to look at us and think – what’s different about them? Why are they happy all the time? They must be doing something right. We are all given 24 hours per day to make a difference in this world. How are you spending your time?
Be ready to give your testimony when you are asked why you are so happy. It doesn’t have to be long and elaborate. Tell of your life before Jesus and your life now. That’s pretty simple. If you’ve always been a Christ follower, share a story of how getting through a storm has been so much easier knowing you were never alone.
Staying the course when the world pulls us to and fro can be difficult. Stay strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10).
Let’s pray. Lord, I give you thank for the sacrifice you made for me and the pain you endured for me. I need to remind myself daily of the price you paid to make my life and my future possible. I pray that you will use me, this blog, my business, whatever activity I touch to be pleasing to you and bring people into a relationship with you. May my mouth never be closed. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
