If I have no hunger or thirst for righteousness

 

 

 Almighty God,
If I have no hunger or thirst for righteousness,
please place it in my heart.
“Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:
thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness (Psalm 143:10 KJV).
In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.  

 

 

Children of God - mentioned in Scripture

 “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; I am the LORD.” (Le 19:18 Webster)

 “28  Say not to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29  Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.” (Pr 3:28-29 Webster)

 “1   A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” (Ps 15:1-3 Webster)

 “37  Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38  This is the first and great commandment. 39  And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Mt 22:37-40 Webster)

 “36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? 37  And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Lu 10:36-37 Webster)

 “Love worketh no ill to one’s neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Ro 13:10 Webster)

 “Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.” (Ro 15:2 Webster)

 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Eph 4:25 Webster)

 “13   For, brethren, ye have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one by another.” (Ga 5:13-15 Webster)

 “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:” (Jas 2:8 Webster)

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 Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Kinderen van God - aangehaald in de Geschriften

Through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe

More than that,
I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
and may be found in Him,
not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law,
but that which is through faith in Christ,
the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith…
(Philippians 3:8-9 NAS)

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21 NAS)

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;
for there is no distinction;
(Romans 3:21-22)

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Preceding articles:

In a few days time it will be 2020 years ago that the Messiah was born

Knowledge of Christ and fear for God

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Being aligned with above

Disney's Friends for Change (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To become justified we ourselves do have to act in the right way. We must act justly and we also have to enact it. It’s in our own hands.

The word, “Tzedek,” which means “justice,” also means “righteousness.” 
The Hebrew word “Tzedaka,” which means “charity,” comes from that same word, “Tzedek,” which can mean that they are connected. Unless righteousness is rooted in kindness, in compassion, and in being a giver and caring for the poor and needy, etc., it is not “just.”

Being “right with God” but not with your fellow man is not aligned with heaven.

The world has chosen to go its own way, but along the way many people also demanded to have judges. As such we got the judges and in the Book of judges or "Shoftim" we can see how an
unjust society may be tried but also directed. 

In the Torah portion of Shoftim, “justice” is not a single word, because it is not a single concept. The double word is its own congruence. That’s the alignment to strive for – justice that is righteous and righteousness that is just – rooted in kindness, caring, and giving. Says Robert Frost,

“Nothing can make injustice just but mercy.”

What is done wrong shall have its consequences. Even when we regret what we did wrong we shall have to bear the consequences. sometimes we even may think we did the right thing but did something wrongly or it turned out badly. Living in this world we are under the events of this world, dependant on others but also on our own. And it is that self that can make the better choices, leaving those who want to be off the world for what they are and may think of us. They may laugh with us for us choosing an other way of life. But we have to make that important choice and have to go for the right way.
Even when we have the right intentions things may go wrong, but at least then we tried. Whatever we do it can always be that the world does not like it. When we did it with a right heart and good intentions who is to blame?

When we live in this world, we do have to grow up and have several decades of trying. With falling and standing up again we learn. By trial we grow and learn our lesson:

we might not be able to repair our world, we might not be able to change our community, we might not be able to uplift our family, we might not get to our goal,

That all seem so bad (you would think). But it should not all so be so bad. When we as person can change and become better in the end, it is not at all bad.  We should be able to transform ourself. 

Each of us has the ability to perfect our own soul; to begin that process of self-transformation.  The crux of this story:

we can’t begin to change the world, unless we first begin to change ourselves.

Best is that we try to be in alignment with the heavenly rules and statues God provided for His creation.Every day we should think about the Most Divine Creator and see ourself in His creation. Where do you want to stand in it? Where do you place yourself?

Are we willing to change ourselves and are we willing to try to go for a new spiritual life?

To get justice ourselves we have to show others justice and should we have charity and mercy for others. At the same time we should be willing to change and to get ourselves transformed under the working of greater forces than those of this world. Believing in the Great power of That One Who gave the authority to Jesus to judge mankind, we shall have less to fear when we try to follow those words of that sent one from God.

Following Jesus we can put our hope in becoming justified and when becoming righteous enjoying already now the blessings of a new life.

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Please continue reading: Looking for a spiritual new life

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Written down in God's Name for righteousness

“23  It is not written for him only, that it was reckoned {|counted|} to him for righteousness: 24 but also for us, to whom it shall be counted for righteousness so we believe on him that raised, up Jesus our Lord from death.” (Romans 4:23-24 TRC)

 “Whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning that we thorow patience and comfort of the scripture should {might} have hope.” (Romans 15:4 TRC)

 “16 For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to inform, {amend} and to instruct in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 TRC)

 “19  We have also a more sure word {a right sure word} of prophecy, whereunto if ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ye do well, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. 20 So that ye first know this, that no prophecy in the scripture hath {|is done of|} any private interpretation. 21 For the scripture {|prophecy|} came never by the will of man: but wholy men of God spake as they were moved by the wholy ghost.” (2 Peter 1:19-21 TRC)

 “that is to wit Jesus Christ, which must heaven receive {receive heaven} until the time that all things be restored again, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. {,be restored again.}” (Acts 3:21 TRC)

 “These words the LORD spake unto all your multitude in the mount out of the fire, cloud and darkness, with a loud voice, and added no more thereto, and wrote them in two tables of stone and delivered them unto me.” (Deuteronomy 5:22 TRC)

 “8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law, manifestly and well. 9 And Moses with the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel saying: take heed and hear Israel, this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. 10 Hearken therefore unto the voice of the LORD thy God and do his commandments and his ordinances which I command you this day.” (Deuteronomy 27:8-10 TRC)

 “2 the spirit of the LORD spake in me, and his words were on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel spake unto me, and the strength of Israel said: he that beareth rule over men, he that ruleth justly in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be as the morning light, when the son shineth in a morning in which are no clouds to let the brightness, and as the grass of the earth is by the virtue of the rain.” (2 Samuel 23:2-4 TRC)

 “Is not my word like a fire? sayeth the LORD, and like an hammer, that breaketh the hard stone?” (Jeremiah 23:29 TRC)

 “He answered, and said unto me: This is the word of the LORD unto Zorobabel, saying: Neither thorow an host of men, nor thorow strength, but thorow my spirit, sayeth the LORD of Hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 TRC)

 “yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone lest they should hear the law and words, which the LORD of Hosts sent in his holy spirit by the prophets afore time. Wherefore the LORD of Hosts was very wroth at them.” (Zechariah 7:12 TRC)

 “for David himself inspired with the holy ghost said: The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stool.” (Mark 12:36 TRC)

 “Ye men and brethren, this scripture must {have} needs be {been} fulfilled which the holy ghost thorow the mouth of David spake before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” (Acts 1:16 TRC)

 “But {those things which} God which {had} shewed before by the mouth of all his prophets {how} that Christ should suffer, {<he>} hath thus wise fulfilled it.” (Acts 3:18 TRC)

 “By a prophet the LORD brought them out of Egypt, and by a prophet he preserved them.” (Hosea 12:13 TRC)

 “For it is my comfort in my trouble, yea thy word quickeneth me.” (Psalms 119:50 TRC)

 “For the commandment is a lantern, and the law a light: yea chastening and nurture is the way of life:” (Proverbs 6:23 TRC)

 “and yet shew mercy unto thousands among them that love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6 TRC)

 “And the LORD said unto Moses: come up to me in to the hill and be there, and I will give thee tables of stone and a law and commandments, which I have written to teach them.” (Exodus 24:12 TRC)

 “And see that thou keep the appointment of the LORD thy God, that thou walk in his ways and keep his commandments, ordinances, laws and testimonies, even as it is written in the law of Moses: that thou mayest understand all that thou oughtest to do, and all that thou shouldest meddle with.” (1 Kings 2:3 TRC)

 “And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day.” (1 Kings 8:61 TRC)

 “Either {|Or|} saith he it not all together for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he which eareth should ear in {|upon|} hope: and that he which thresheth in {|upon|} hope, should {|that he might|} be partaker of his hope.” (1 Corinthians 9:10 TRC)

 “All these things happened upon them for ensamples, and were written to put us in remembrance, {|to warn us|} whom the ends of the world are come upon.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 TRC)

 “For whom the LORD loveth, him he chasteneth: and yet delighteth in him even as a father in his own son.” (Proverbs 3:12 TRC)

 “and such as cleaveth unto the true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learning, and to improve them that say against it.” (Titus 1:9 TRC)

 “and whoremongers: to them that defile themselves with mankind: to menstealers: to liars and to perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10 TRC)

 “If any man teach otherwise, and is not content with {|agreeth not unto|} the wholesome words of our Lord Jesu Christ, and with the doctrine of godliness,” (1 Timothy 6:3 TRC)

 “See thou have the example of the wholesome words which thou heardest of me, in {|concerning|} faith and love which is in Jesu Christ.” (2 Timothy 1:13 TRC)

 “This witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,” (Titus 1:13 TRC)

 “And ye have forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you, as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him:” (Hebrews 12:5 TRC)

 “{<And>} His disciples remembered, how that it was written: The zeal of thine house, hath even eaten me.” (John 2:17 TRC)

 “It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 TRC)

 “23 Jesus answered and said unto him: if a man love me and will keep my sayings, my father also will love him, and we will come unto him, and will dwell with him. 24 He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings. And the words which ye hear are not mine, but my {the} father’s, which sent me. 25  This have I spoken unto you being yet present with you. 26 But that comforter which is the holy ghost (whom my father will send in my name) {<he>} shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be grieved, neither fear ye. 28  Ye have heard how I said unto you: I go and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would verily rejoice, because I said, I go unto the father. For the father is greater than I. 29 And now have I shewed you, before it come, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Here after will I not talk many words unto you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love my {the} father; And {Therefore} as the father gave me commandment, even so do I. Rise let us go hence.” (John 14:23-31 TRC)

 “Jesus answered them, and said: My doctrine is not mine: but his that sent me.” (John 7:16 TRC)

 “For I have not spoken of myself: but the father which sent me{,he} gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak.” (John 12:49 TRC)

 “10 Believest thou not that I am in the father, and the father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the father dwelling {that dwelleth} in me is he that doeth the works. 11 Believe {<me>} that I am in the father, and the father in me. At the least believe me for the very works’ sake. 12  Verily, verily I say unto you whosoever {he that} believeth on me, the works that I do, the same shall he do, and greater works then these shall he do, because I go unto my father. 13 And whatsoever ye ask in my name, that will I do, that the father might be glorified by {|may be praised in|} the son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it. 15  If ye love me keep my commandments, 16 and I will pray the father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may bide with you ever, 17 which is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because the world seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him. For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18  I will not leave you comfortless: I {but} will come unto {to} you.” (John 14:10-18 TRC)

 “When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word: well spake the holy ghost by Esay the prophet unto our fathers,” (Acts 28:25 TRC)

 “10  Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the armour of God, that ye may stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, {|<namely>|} and against worldly rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in {for} heavenly things. {|under the heaven|} 13 For this cause take unto you the armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things. 14 Stand therefore and your loins gird about with verity, {|trueth|} having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and shod with shoes prepared by the gospel {gospell} of peace. 16 Above all take to you the shield of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of health, {salvation} and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:10-17 TRC)

 “But let us which are of the day be sober, armed with the breast plate of faith and love, and with hope of health, {salvation} as an helmet. {|the helmet of hope to salvation|}” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 TRC)

 “It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 TRC)

 “for the word of God is quick, and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two edged sword: and entereth through, even unto the dividing a sunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints, and the mary: and judgeth the thoughts and the intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 TRC)

 “and so shall he not honour his father and {or his} mother. And thus have ye made, that the commandment of God is with out effect, through your traditions.” (Matthew 15:6 TRC)

 “and thus have ye made the commandment {making the word} of God of none effect through your own traditions which ye have ordained. And many such things ye do.” (Mark 7:13 TRC)

 “for ye are born a new, not of mortal {|corruptible|} seed, but of immortal {|uncorruptible|} seed, by the word of God which liveth, and lasteth for ever, {|by the living word of God, which endureth for ever|}” (1 Peter 1:23 TRC)

 “It came to the ears of the apostles and the brethren which were in Jewry, that the heathen also had received the word of God. {And the Apostles and the brethren that were thorowout Jewry heard say that the Heathen had also received the word of God.}” (Acts 11:1 TRC)

 “For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because that when ye received of us the word, wherewith God was preached, ye received it not as the word of man: but even as it was in deed, {|is of a trueth|} the word of God, which worketh in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 TRC)

 “And this say we unto you in the word of the Lord, that we which live and are remaining in the coming of the Lord, shall not come yer they, which sleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15 TRC)

 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first of his creatures. {that we should be the first fruits of his creatures.}” (James 1:18 TRC)

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Nicht geschrieben allein um seinetwillen aber zur Lehre geschrieben

Das wort Gottes Helm des heils und Schwert des geistes

First page of the Gospel of Mark, by Sargis Pitsak, a Medieval Armenian scribe and miniaturist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Find also:

Necessary to be known all over the earth

A way to look for Christ, the Bible, Word of God

Bible, best Book of books to get to know the truth

No man see the Almighty God and live

El-Shaddai God Almighty Who no-one may see and live

The Almighty Lord God of gods King above all gods

Jehovah God Almighty greater than all gods

No man see the Almighty God and live

Glory of only One God Who gives His Word

God-breathed prophetic words written torah and the mitzvot to teach us
Written down in God's Name

Written to whom it is about to be reckoned

Focussing on oneness with Jesus like Jesus is one with God

La gloire du Dieu Fort qui prononça toutes ces paroles

Schepping en wet die vertellen over Gods eer

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Looking for something or for the Truth and what it might be and self-awareness

What can be the truth and what do we understand under ‘the truth’? Are we speaking of man made sets of concepts and beliefs, or the accumulation of scientific knowledge, or mathematical certainties?

How can we find the truth and do we need to examine only all the NT writings or do we have to look at the OT writings also?

How can we get the full story of early Christianity and how much interest do we have to have for theological writings or to church letters and books written after the gospels and epistles?

Are you not curious what those Christians in the Old Times believed and how believes changed and churches found ways to grow? But those growing churches did they keep to the Truth? Did they not bring in teachings to become more popular and to have more people who could find their traditional events integrated in the church?

With education, we are able to discern between right and wrong, good and evil, and make what we might term moral choices. The human being is privileged that it has a brain which can be used to get such an insight. We as human beings can have a level of awareness and with it an ability to come to a natural expression of our physical organisation or being, and that it is an innate capacity or potential that we are uniquely born with.

The 21st century has brought us to an age of increasing complexity and sophistication, which is being driven by scientific advancements on a scale never seen before. These advancements are coupled in a strange way with a veneer of rationality that is difficult to reconcile with the advances in science. As science seeks to explain and explore every detail of the material world, the media and entertainment industries bombard us with increasingly puerile levels of information, often delivered in oversimplified sound-bites backed by expertly crafted graphic imagery for easy acceptance. The outcome is a society which has generally lost the ability to think and reason critically on the deeper questions of life.

On the net you shall be able to find a new website which shall look at the way how we can look and interpret the Bible. There are numerous teachings in the Bible, but it can be good to now and then just to look at some basic elements which are not so hidden in that book that it would be to difficult to find.

In any case are there 5 teachings in the Bible which stand out and upon which all the others are based. Each of these are intimately connected, and none stands fully alone or independent. Other important teachings such as Law, sin, righteousness, faith, grace and salvation are all connected to these central themes and in some measure they are built upon them. These core teachings stand therefore in some measure as a foundation, and upon them and around them can be built a fuller understanding of the ways of God.

At the new website you may find core concepts for your investigation.

1. God’s revealed purpose with both mankind and with the earth: God's Plan
2. The revealed Creator of heaven and earth: the Elohim Allah God: Jehovah
3. God His Revelation – God has spoken and revealed Himself and His ways. This is in His Word, in the book we commonly call the Bible.
4. Human being, animals and plants, the elements in the universe.
5. Jesus Christ – God’s son, whom God raised up to be a saviour. He is the completion of God’s purpose, the very image of the invisible God.  The Nazarene man whom was called Jeshua, but of whom people changed his name in Jesus 'Hail Zeus' and made him a god of a threesome.
6. Self-Awareness – and the Choices this Awareness Brings?

 Most of us don’t really seek for answers but are somewhat satisfied by the consensus of opinions advanced by the experts and thought leaders we follow, whether consciously or subconsciously. The added complexity to the question of existence is the self-evident fact that total objectivity is rarely possible, since every one of us has prejudices that colour our reasoning and conclusions. This often works in ways that we are not even aware of. This is a peculiar quirk of the human condition. Our ability to be totally objective is often challenged by our education, culture, peer group or simply our preferred group’s prejudices. Most of us have an innate bias or need to conform to the consensus position of the particular group that we most closely identify with. This causes most people to rely upon the conclusions of those they respect and identify with, and who are often experts at articulating their positions. We rationalise, that if they cannot get it right and tell us the answers, who really can? 

Many may be looking for a long time in their life for true knowledge and wisdom. Do you have any idea where you or others can find it?
Where is the source of true meaning? Is it found in the world; in its philosophy, science, education, religions, or worldly wisdom?

While all of these fields are capable of helping us in our day to day struggles, they are not able to give us an answer to the larger question of purpose. They certainly may be treasured, but they are not that which really counts, which is more valuable than the sum total of all else. The Bible informs us many times that this treasure can only come from above, i.e. from God.  

 

Find more about it in:

1. Chapter 1 - General Introduction to the Blog Basic Bible Teaching: The Core Teachings of the Bible.
2. 1.The Core Teachings of the Bible 1.      TheCore Teachings of the Bible
3. The Core Teachings of the Bible Chapter 2 - Self-Awareness – and the Choices this Awareness Brings?
4. The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
5. The Core Teachings of the Bible Chapter 2 - The Common Human Experience: 1.      The Common Human Experience
6. Is There a Greater Purpose to Life?
7. Yes – Purpose and Wisdom can be found.
   
   
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Set free from any form of mental torment or self-condemnation

James Mason

The words, “For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law” (Gal 3:21) should give every brother and sister in Christ tremendous comfort and set them free from any form of mental torment or self-condemnation since these words clearly show that not only Paul but God Himself knows not one of us will ever attain to the perfect standard of the law no matter how much we might desire to or how hard we try.

Both God and Christ know that any attempt we make to attain to righteousness of holiness to make us worthy of eternal life by our own human self-effort is doomed to fail before we even start, thus the glory, the beauty, the wonder and splendour of God’s grace in Christ.
Helen Bliss We should NOT be trying to follow the Law, We should be following Jesus our savior, this is the way of salvation that leads to life. That is what his example is all about.
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2013 update:
 

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If you have integrity

In this disrupted world climate people have changed. Honesty and integrity are almost forgotten values. The confidence has disappeared.

Crime and violence are a worldwide phenomenon.
„Probity or integrity have been well defined as „moral uprightness; honesty.” A sound person is reliably and not corruptible by people or able to be tempted by wrong matters. Probity does not mean natural perfection, but it indicates on a fundamental quality in someone. In our world of becoming rich quickly sometimes integrity can be considered as an obstacle instead of as a virtue.

But in this time all ranks and social order become damaged by or loss of integrity.

In spite of the world-wide reverse gear in criteria in the field of honesty certain people attach still value to integrity. To do what we have promised, is one way to show love for god and our people and to commission people who love justice. - Matthew 22:36 - 39; Romans 15:2.

As Christians we hear to be followers of the master Jesus Christ. Of all students it is required that they stick to a code of conduct which corresponds to what is usually expected in a community or family where the emphasis is laid on courtesy, politeness, regard for parents and the elderly, cooperation, tolerance, friendliness, honesty and integrity. We must work at our self, at our own person-like-driven so that nobody must doubt our person and so that we can win also the confidence of others. How more people follow the way of God, how more that sound people of integrity will populate the world.

Wouldn't you like to live gladly in a world in which everyone displayed moral qualities of integrity, love, allegiance, unselfishness and with interest for people? That is decidedly the type of world which you wish! Absolutely no human dominator is ever able to bring that about. Only Jehovah God can make that possible. And he will do it, because His new world is no unreal air castle. - Psalm 85:10, 11.

Marcus Ampe

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"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. Alan Simpson, former U.S. Senator.

This statement makes a very strong case for integrity. What does the Bible have to say on the subject?

When God spoke to King Solomon on the occasion of the dedication of the temple, He said, "As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples."

God makes it clear that the keeping of His commandments is the essence of integrity. The high principles, honesty and good character manifested by a man of integrity come from adherence to divine principles. In Solomon's case, he had committed himself to serving God, and the keeping of God's law was an integral part of that commitment.

We don't have to read very much more to find out that Solomon did not walk in integrity of heart all the days of his life as did his father David, and, as a result, the kingdom was divided. Eventually Israel did become a byword and an object of ridicule. Why? Lack of integrity is the answer. A man of integrity honors his commitments.

David knew the value of integrity. Just before he died he went all-out to help prepare for the temple he wanted to build, but God had refused him permission, saying, "No, your son will build it instead." David, rather than being a poor sport, said to God, "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided."

David was correct. God does test our hearts and He is pleased with integrity. Integrity implies willingly doing the right thing no matter what the cost or what we may prefer. David put aside what he would have liked to have done and wholeheartedly supported a plan that was not of his choice and would give the prestige for building the temple to someone else.

Integrity is a quality you cannot fake. There really is no such thing as insincere integrity. If it is insincere then it is not integrity. We need to ask ourselves, Do we have integrity? That is a critical question. We cannot fake it. Solomon who once had it but lost it gives us good advice on the subject: "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." "Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."

Let us then walk with integrity. The benefits of integrity are many, both now and in the future. The Psalmist said as he spoke to God, "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you."

Paul gave good advice to Titus when he said, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness" A person of integrity is respected, offering a good example for others to follow.

Let us say with the Psalmist, "But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me." God will respond as David knew he would when David said, "Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.""

- Brother Robert Lloyd
Integrity - Minute Meditations

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Als u integriteit hebt

Honor your own words as if they were an important contract

Honour your own words as if they were an important contract. Once you've said it, you have to keep it.

"He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but one who talks too much comes to ruin.
He who despises a word will suffer for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded." (Proverbs 13:3,13 Complete Jewish Bible version)


“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool will fall.” (Proverbs 10:8, King James)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hears counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)

“A reproof enters more into a wise man than a hundred stripes [of the whip] into a fool.” (Proverbs 17:10)

“A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalms 37:16)

“A righteous [one] hates lying: but a wicked [one] is loathsome, and comes to shame.” (Proverbs 13:5)

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

“My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to those who walk uprightly. He keeps the paths of judgment, and preserves the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yes, every good path.” (Proverbs 2:1-9)

In the daily reality, words are like pennies - going from hand to hand, mouth to mouth. Sometimes we have a break in our "brain to mouth" connection. Soul, heart and brain should be in harmony, and words not more than a good tool which is used wisely.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Eer uw eigen woorden alsof zij een belangrijk contract zijn