I Pray That Your Love Will Keep on Growing

 

Philippians 1:9–11 CSB

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

In this passage Paul is explaining the things that are in his prayer life toward the people in Philippi. He is thankful (Philippians 1:3), Joyful (Philippians 1:4), Praising their partnership with him (Philippians 1:5,7), confident about Christ’s work in them (Philippians 1:6), missing them, and affectionate toward them (Philippians 1:8). These prayers are thanksgiving and faith. He then delves into the substance of his intersession for the people of Philippi.

I want to draw attention to the progression of these verses. First this progression is rooted in love. Love grows in knowledge and discernment. This growth of knowledge and discernment leads to agreement with superior things and sanctification in Christ. This sanctification leads to works of righteousness in Christ that then culminates with glorifying and praising of God.

I have an image of a tree when I think of these verses. The root of the tree is love. The trunk of the tree is knowledge and discernment. The branches of the tree are agreement with God. The leaves of the tree are sanctification. The fruit of the tree is works of righteousness. Finally, the provision these works leads to the glory and praise of God.

The love in this prayer is a request for an abounding love. This love is overflowing and extravagant. It is more than that. This love is more and more overflowing and extravagant. The word overflowing is the same word that is used when the disciples collected 12 baskets from the five barley loaves in John 6:13. This multiplied and overflowing love is Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church. Love, if this prayer is fulfilled, is the unmistakable miracle of God. This overflow is a work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers expressed in their lives through the relationships they have with others.

As I interact with this text, I recognize that despite the best intentions to live out this type of love I am wholly inadequate to do so (Romans 7). Truthfully the only way to constantly love with abounding love of God is to persistently set your mind on the Spirit (Romans 8). It is only with the indwelling and manifestation of God’s Holy Spirit that we can possibly overcome our natural bent toward self-love and walk in the love and goodness of God.

As our love for God grows it is evidenced by knowledge and discernment. There is major distinction between a shallow faith that is easily withered under trials (Matthew 13:20-21). This is not the case for faith that reflects genuine love that God has for you and you for God. True spiritual knowledge is an intimacy with God. So often we settle for knowing things about God and fail to press on to knowing God. Jesus warns that knowing about God is not enough. We must also know God in a relational way (Matthew 7:23). Discernment is a sign of maturity in the faith (Hebrews 5:14). Note though that discernment is maturity in handling the word of God. It is popular to try to skip digging into God’s word to mature faith and rely on popular preachers to tell you what to think. This creates immaturity and division (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). True discernment then is studying the word of God to strengthen your perception of God and Godliness. Growing in love, insight, and perception of God is a relational and deep spiritual maturity. It is an activity that is rooted in learning more and more from God’s word.

With a secure foundation of this growing love then you are equipped to pay attention to praiseworthy things of God. We approve of the superior things of God. These are of the highest quality and to be treasured. We also notice the purity of God’s blessings and provisions. This pursuit is blameless. We rise above the actions and words that give offence (in a sinful manner). If people are offended it is at the truth of God but not offensive actions on our part. We are transformed and renewed in our thinking and continue to grow in greater and greater discernment (Romans 12:2). As we apply this to our lives empowered by the Holy Spirit God does a work of sanctification in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:23 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13). There are no short cuts in this. God saves and sanctifies through the Holy Spirit as we commit to knowing Him and His Holy Word!

This is where things begin to be a blessing. With Love, knowledge, discernment, approval of things superior, pure, and blameless established in the heart of a believer then real spiritual fruit is produced (Galatians 5:22-25). This fruit is evident in the life of a believer and is ultimately a blessing to those around them. This fruit becomes external evidence of God’s work in the heart of the believer (1 John 2:29). This fruit of righteousness brings soul filling life (Proverbs 11:30). There also is a fruitfulness of service (Titus 3:14).

Of course, all of this culminates in the glorification and praise to God (Philippians 1:11). In short Love for God, leads to growing in knowledge and discernment, leads to approval of things superior, pure, and blameless, leads to fruitfulness in Christ, leads to glorification and praise of our God. And that my dear friends is my prayer for you!

God Bless You

~BJ

​

 

Intercession of the Bread of God

Once again the people of Israel were complaining. This time it was 45 days since leaving Egypt. They had received water, but were now running out of food. The greater need was a lack of faith. God was about to give them an object lesson that was going to last for then next 40 years that would be repeated every day as a reminder of God's faithfulness, that they might grow in their faith.

Moses returned to God. A person involved in the ministry of intercession is unceasingly connected to God through prayer and meditation on God's Word. It is the very breath of his/her spiritual life. When things go well she prays with thankfulness and praising. When things go poorly he humbly brings the need before the Lord. God tells Moses that He plans to feed the people supernaturally.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days."
Exodus 16:4-5 (HCSB)

Notice that the gathering of bread had very specific instructions. At times there is a specific thing that God calls us to. Often that thing goes against what our natural mind will understand. Yet if we have faith then we will obey. It is not works that makes our faith great. It is works that show our great faith. That is why James says faith without works is dead by itself (James 2:17). So in this case God very clear gathering instructions. What is even more interesting is the consequence if the instructions were not followed.

But they didn't listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and smelled. Therefore Moses was angry with them.
Exodus 16:20 (HCSB)
For six days you may gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none." Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find any. Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep My commands and instructions?
Exodus 16:26-28 (HCSB)

In the ministry of intercession it will require you to pass along the specific instructions that God is requiring of others. Most of these instructions are found in the Bible. It is the Word of God that is useful for teaching and instruction. A minister of intercession must have a good working knowledge of the Word of God. Without this knowledge you cannot be sharing what God is saying. God is not a mute in matters of life. His word must be written upon your heart.  What is more a servant of God must point others to the Word of God.  That they also may have His Word written upon their hearts.

It is clear that you are Christ's letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (HCSB)
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.
Psalms 119:11 (HCSB)

Seeking the direction from the Lord requires communication with the Lord. There are two primary ways that God communicates with His people: His Word, and Prayer! In seeking the Lord Moses learned a couple of things. First he learned about what God was doing and how the Israelites were to respond. He also learned something about the ministry of intercession.

...for He has heard the complaints that you are raising against Him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord."
Exodus 16:8 (HCSB)

Moses learned that the complaining was against God and not against himself or Aaron. When you are in the ministry of intercession you become a target of others complaints. There is a subtle shift of blame. I think people feel guilty to complain about God, so they more readily blame His spokesperson. Yet God made it clear to Moses that the people were in fact complaining against God. This in a negative way demonstrates that the minister of intercession is nothing by himself. It is God who intercedes and it is God's timing that the intercession occurs. When we take things personally when representing God we need to examine whether we are grieved because God is grieved or are we subtle buying into the idea that "I did this for God." There can be pride there which then will lead to ungodly action. More on this in a future post.

We see the pattern that I mentioned in a previous post: Recognize the need (Exodus 16:2-3), bring the need before the Lord (Exodus 16:4), listen for what God was doing (Exodus 16:4-5), obey what God asked (Exodus 16:6-11), wait upon the Lord (Exodus 16:13-15), and praise the Lord for His provision (Exodus 16:33-34).

Obedience for Moses was to call the people to obedience. Notice just because Moses called the people to obedience did not mean that they were obedient (most did, some did not). Those that did not obey experienced the consequences of their disobedience. Moses could not intercede for them. Notice also how disobedience grieves the Heart of God and the heart of His servant Moses.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep My commands and instructions?"
Exodus 16:28 (HCSB)
Therefore Moses was angry with them.
Exodus 16:20 (HCSB)

To the people the bread was Manna which literally means "whatness" (Exodus 16:31).

"What is for breakfast?"
"What!"
"I said what is for breakfast?"
"and I said what!"
"I want to know what it is?"
"Yes that is right!"
"What is right?"
"Exactly!"

So to the people it was a mysterious substance that came down in the morning dew. However Moses had a different take. To Moses it was "... the bread the Lord has given you to eat (Exodus 16:15)." As you mature in the ministry of intercession what was once a mystery will become the very bread of God spiritual food for the soul.

Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Moses didn't give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the real bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said, "Sir, give us this bread always!" "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again."
John 6:32-35 (HCSB)

Notice Jesus' words. He points out that God is the one that interceded. He also draws the connection to his own ministry. Jesus is our bread of life. To others He is a mystery. To believers He has been revealed as the Bread of Life. As believers we have a duty to first feast on the Bread of Life daily, recognize the greatest need of others is to have this bread, go to God in prayer over this need, listen for what God is doing in their lives, obey God by speaking (or doing) what He is revealing, waiting on the Lord for the results, and Praising Him when others come to know Him as the Bread of Life! This is the ministry of intercession.

If you have the Bread of Life then I pray that you would continue to grow in your spiritual walk so as to become the servant of God and minister in Jesus' name.  If you do not have the Bread of Life, would you consider the offer of life that is before you right now.  God desires for you to have it.  Yours is to receive it with thankfulness. 

God Bless You

~BJ

Related articles

• We are His Servants God is Our Intercessor (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)
• From Bitterness to Sweetness (Prayer and Intercession) (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)
• Aligning with God (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)
• I Did Not Expect That (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)
• Missing the Mark with Intercession (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)
• Ministry of Intercession? (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)
• Petitions and Intercessions (How to pray) (bjs-spot.blogspot.com)

Meditation: Guarding Your Heart and Mind

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (HCSB)

Context:  In this passage Paul has finished discussing the theology of Christian living and now he is giving practical advice of how to live out that theology. 

Key Words:  Rejoice, Graciousness (Gentleness), The Lord is near, Don't worry, Prayer, petition, thanksgiving, Peace of God, guard heart and mind, in Christ Jesus

This passage is full of truths.  I think I should stay on it for a few days.  Yesterday God was showing me that I needed to me more gentle.  Today my meditation is that the peace of God guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.  I especially note that my heart and mind need this guarding and that my position is in Christ when this occurs. 

 

Have a Blessed Day. 

Setting Your Mind on the Spirit

For those of you who have been following this I must apologize for the delay in getting this post out.  I have had many things to attend to that seem to be now resolved to a certain extent.  So I am now able to return to writing. 

Romans 8 is one of the most powerful chapters in proclaiming our spiritual victory found in Christ.  In Chapter 7 Paul discusses the futility of willing yourself into victory.  Willpower does not save.  If willpower was all that was needed then the message of the Cross is pointless.  When the will is set on the Spirit (Spirit mindedness) then the Spirit's power is set forth to do it's work in the life of a believer. 

After repentance (Dying to self and turning to Christ) then one must accept the truth that there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.  So often we tend to get our spiritual cleaning and then go back to the works of the law.  Or continue to beat ourselves for past sin.  The removal of guilt is complete.  That is not to say that you will not experience consequences of sin (sometimes life long).  But it does mean that you are free spiritually.  Your freedom is an accomplished work that Christ did for you on the Cross. 

At this moment of spiritual freedom you have some choices on what you are going to focus on.  Walking in the Spirit, living in accord with the Spirit, mindset on the Spirit, Crying out in the Spirit, groaning in the Spirit, Hoping in the Spirit, Waiting in the Spirit, and praying in the Spirit are all disciplines that lead to greater and greater Spirit mindedness.  There is considerable overlap between these disciplines. 

What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin's domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law's requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-5 (HCSB)

"Walking according the the Spirit" and "living according the the Spirit" is an intentional change from doing what feels good (in the moment) to falling under the direction of God's Holy Spirit.  This is not the same as willing to be obedient to God's Law, but rather it is choosing to follow His Spirit to be in accord with God's plan for your life.   There is a slang expression "I am down with that."  In some sense we as Christians are to be "down with the Holy Spirit."  We (with our will) are in agreement with His direction for us.  That is walking according the the Spirit.  Our walking and our lives are with the Holy Spirit!

For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God's law, for it is unable to do so.
Romans 8:6-7 (HCSB)

Part of the act of the will in being in accord with the Sprit has to do with where your mind is set.  There is a contrast between a person that has their mind set on the flesh and their mind set on the Spirit.  This is a very important distinction.  I am convinced that as long as a person continues to think about sin either in terms of avoiding it or indulging it the mind continues to be set on the flesh.  Did you catch that?  You can be desiring a good thing (avoiding some particular sin) and still have a mind set on the flesh (remember Romans 7).  There is a need to set our minds on the Spirit of God.  Our ultimate life and peace come from this act.  Think over the times of spiritual victory in your life and you will find that they did not come from working harder to avoid sin, but rather when you were able to set your mind on the things of God.  The opposite is also true.  Think about the times of spiritual defeat.  You were no matter how hard you tired not to unable to beat the sin because it was on your mind.  Having the right mind-set is vital to a Spirit filled life.  Where is your mind set?

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"
Romans 8:15 (HCSB)

When we come to Christ as our savior then we receive the Holy Spirit as evidence that we have been "adopted" into God's family.  It is by this Spirit that we are able to call God our daddy and father.  There are times in life that we just need a daddy to get us through the moment.  To pick us up dust of our pants and let us know He is right there with us holding us up with His strong arms.  It is through Spirit mindedness that we can experience this spiritual hug from God.  Go ahead cry out to Him.  He loves to hug His children!

And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits -we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:23 (HCSB)

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.
Romans 8:26 (HCSB)

There are times when all that we can let out is a groan.  For the Christian there is a groan of desperation and hopelessness (Groaning in the flesh?) and there is a groaning in and by the Spirit.  The groaning in the Spirit come from the realization that this is not our final resting place.  We long to be with God in total.  We desire the day when we will be able to shed this sinful flesh and be fully redeemed and with God.  There also is a groaning that is done by the Spirit Himself.  He groans a prayer over our groaning of weakness.  This type of groaning is actually a prayer.  Praying in the Spirit is a prayer of speechlessness for ourselves, but the words of the Spirit are powerful.  If you have never prayed according the the Spirit in this way I encourage you to get quiet before the Lord acknowledge your weakness and let the Spirit do the rest.  The key is that it is the Spirit's work because of our weakness and not something that you do in yourself!  The prayer in the Spirit is powerful.  Prayer without the Spirit is just a list of things that you want God to do.  God always answers the first prayer, but the latter He may or may not.  These verses explain was praying in the Spirit is answered.

And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27 (HCSB)

When we pray in the Spirit and the Spirit groans on our behalf then we get a perfect prayer that is according to the will of God.  This takes discipline and it certainly takes sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, but it can transform your life of prayer. 

There are many more disciplines that lead to Spirit Mindedness, but I believe that this is a good start.  One thing before a end this post.  My worst fear is that you would take my words to be something.  In reality they are nothing.  They are less than nothing compared to the surpassing value of God's word.  I ask you with the greatest of urgency and sincerity to examine His word.  In this case specifically Romans 8.  Before during and after your reading of Romans 8 ask that God would give you Spiritual understanding and wisdom.  It does not come from me nor can I replace His Spirit.  May the God of all creation and savior of our souls grant you the wisdom of the ages!

God Bless You!

Defining "Christian Mindfulness"

Image by TW Collins via Flickr

"... he who is spiritual appraises all things..." 1 Cor 2:15 (NASB)

Imagine that I invited you to worship and told you that I was going to pick you up in my car.  You would not necessarily care what the make and model of my car was, but rather where we were going to worship.  Using this analogy mindfulness is the vehicle that takes us to greater awareness and connection to the object of our worship and the world around us.  There are some distinctions between eastern mindfulness and Christian mindfulness which I will do my best to point out.  Just as prayer and meditation are a part of other world religions, I believe mindfulness legitimately holds a place as a mode of worship within the Christian faith.

Christian Mindfulness at its core is contemplative awareness by the Spirit (note: links to Scripture references).   This is contrasted with Eastern mindfulness which is non-judgmental awareness.  Contemplation is an act of the will which requires that we be fully engaged in the present moment and dependent on God's Holy Spirit, not passively experiencing the moment as eastern thought would suggest.  Contemplation is where what we know meets what we experience.  It is the process of wisdom. 

Mindfulness for the Christian necessarily involves some level understanding of the scriptures.  Without scripture our knowingness is based on experience and feelings which can lead to all sort of problems.  In order to grow in Christian mindfulness a person must develop a habit of regular meditative study of God's Holy Word.  It is His Word that makes mindfulness "Christian."  Mindfulness is a type of worship  and His Word will lead you to worship Him.  Absent of this your worship and mind will be directed at some other object (this can easily become idolatry).  Perhaps this is why we see many objects of worship (Idols) in the eastern traditions. 

Mindfulness as we already mentioned is awareness.  This is an awareness of God, others, and surroundings.  This awareness is much deeper than knowing these objects exist or are there.  This mindful awareness occurs when there is a deeper connection to the thing that one is becoming aware of.  There is a danger (especially with awareness of God) of knowing about something without knowing it.  This level of awareness is knowing the thing that you are being mindful of (intimacy).  When we know about God we are studying some theological truth;  on the other hand when we know God we experience the riches of His wisdom and the Glory of his presence.  It is the deeper sense of knowing that is mindfulness.

Mindfulness is acting out of intention rather that reaction to the world around you.  We have integrity in what we know, say, and do.  It is an acting out of God's love for you and others.  It is fulfilling moment by moment the purpose that God has for you.  It is acting without ulterior motives, but out of sincerity of heart.

Mindfulness is being filled.  This is a sharp contrast from eastern mindfulness which teaches emptying.  Emptiness is not a virtue in the Bible.  Emptiness is consistently pointed out as a danger.  So then for the Christian mindfulness is being filled with the things of God as you go through your day.  First and foremost it is being filled with the Spirit.  Then God's love and grace.  The list goes on and on as to what can fill you.  This filling comes from the Word of God and the things that he reveals to you through study, prayer, and meditation, so that is a good place to start.  Note: any meditative practice that teaches you to empty should be a red flag.  This is not Christian and can be quite dangerous in light of God's Word.

Mindfulness is the peace and contentment of God.  It is a quietness of soul that allows you to face uncertain circumstances.  It is the time when you stop wrestling with life and quietly accept the peace that God desires to give you.  It is a joy that is present regardless of external circumstances. 

Mindfulness is unreservedly giving yourself to the will of God.  Most people think of God's will as something that He wants them to do some day.  Mindfulness is accomplishing the will of God in this moment.  It is forgetting what is behind, it is letting go of future worries, and living for God in the present.  Often we imagine ourselves doing some great thing for God.  We plan on doing it "someday."  Unfortunately someday never comes for most of us and the ideas of fancy never become reality.  Mindfulness allows us to accomplish the will of God in the present moment.  At this moment you are accomplishing the will of God if you are willing.

Christian Mindfulness necessarily involves knowing Christ.  It is hearing His voice.  It is being identified with Him, His power, His ministry, and His purpose.  It is placing your faith in Him and understanding the power of His resurrection.  Interestingly it is actively striving to take hold of what God has given you.  This striving continues as long as you continue to live.  Striving is contrasted with "letting go" concept in eastern thought. 

Christian Mindfulness is Spirit Mindedness.  Romans 8 has the best description of this that I have found.  Understanding this passage of the Bible will help you grow in this area if you study it and meditate on it day by day.  Essentially Spirit mindedness is setting the mind on the Holy Spirit of God.   Contrasted with eastern thought on mindfulness which involves emptying the mind with the goal of unconditioned perfection and transcendent happiness, Christian mindfulness finds joy when the mind is set on (and dependent on) the Spirit and puts to death the things of the flesh. When cultivated this Spirit mindedness becomes moment by moment awareness of God's Holy presence and acting out of faith.  In this way Christian mindfulness comes full circle with greater (spiritual) awareness leading to increased awareness of God's Holy Spirit, leading to stronger faith, leading to increased action based on this faith, leading to greater awareness.  This process is ever growing and will become a completed work in heaven. 

Christian Mindfulness is deeper awareness of the world around you and what God is doing in you and in your surroundings;  then you taking intentional action based on faith in God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Next Topic "Being Unmindful"

In His Image

26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.  Gen 1:26-27 (HCSB)

That we are created in the image of God is one of the most precious truths of the Genesis story.  Think about it.  We are in the image of goodness, love, kindness, grace, mercy, longsuffering, righteousness, every quality that is God's is ours by image.  Bearing in mind that sin had not yet marred the nature of man God's conclusion was that it was "very good!" 

"Let Us make man in Our image." "So God created man in His own image."  This passage also gives us a glimpse into the nature of the God head.  Note the plural and then the singular in reference of whose image we were created in.  This is the Trinity at work.  God the Father, God the Son (see John 1:1-5), and God the Spirit (See Genesis 1:2) were all present and involved in creation.  Also the passage describes the God head as plural (three) and singular (one).  This is a difficult concept to understand, but God is Three in one.  This is the trinity.  And we see this truth right here at the beginning of the Bible. 

He created them male and female.  There is intrinsic value in every human being regardless of gender, race, or class.  Genesis tells us that we have equal footing before God.  We are in His image and He created us and it was "very good."  Think about it with the removal of sin (accomplished by receiving the gift of salvation) God looks down at you and says "very good."  The praise of a loving Father is powerful indeed.  God says "very good" when he looks at you and that is a blessing.

God also establishes the purpose of man in this account.  We are created to...

 
Rule the fish

Rule the birds

Rule the livestock

Rule the Earth and all the creatures

Be fruitful

 
Fill the earth

Subdue it

Steward every plant

Harvest food to eat

Feed everything that has breath in it

It was very good!

Tamin Derek: What is in a name?

Some may wonder why I call my site by the name of Tamin Derek. Tamin Derek is a Hebrew to English transliteration. The Hebrew is in the picture to the left. I came across this when I was preparing for a Bible study a few years ago. Derek is the way or a journey. Our walk with the Lord is a journey of sorts. I think of Enoch. He walked with God and then God "took him." We now that God took him because Enoch's faith had "Pleased" God.

Walking with God is an image that is carried through out the Old and New Testaments. We walk with God along the "way" and it pleases Him. There are so many ways to go now days. There are many ways to god according to our march toward tolerance and pluralism. We accept good and evil alike (as long as it does not offend). If it does offend then we put our foot down and say no more. Unfortunately the journey that most are on is about as stable as a rope bridge. Also there is no basis on which we can say what offends us is wrong. We have become god's of our own destinies.

Tamin is the key word in this respect. God's way is "perfect (Tamin)." The modern English use of perfect has skewed our understanding a bit. Since the industrial revolution the word perfect has emphasized without defect or extreme precision. Most mechanical things need to have very low tolerance for error if they are going to work and continue to work. The perfect way though carries more of a sense of integrity, wholeness, and completeness. I believe that these carry deeper spiritual significance when compared to the strictly mechanistic idea of precision. Also integrity, wholeness, and completeness tend to agree with the origin of the word perfection.

"The Way of Integrity" to me is the best description of a walk with God. Integrity occurs when what I believe matches up with what I say, which matches up with what I do. In other words what I believe (faith) is what I say (proclaim) is what I do (good works). God's way is a path in which all of these align perfectly.

You can study the way of integrity through studying God's Word (click on links to see the Bible verses). God places us on the way of integrity when we make Him our refuge and garment. The way of integrity requires diligence, and integrity of heart at home. The way of integrity involves fellowship with like minded followers of God. The way of integrity is happiness in following God's instruction. Righteousness of this way clears the path so as to remove stumbling. The way of integrity is a "delight" to our Lord. The way of integrity is narrow. Jesus is the way of integrity. The way of integrity involves traveling lightly in this life. The Devil desires to pervert the way of integrity. False teachers will abandon the way of integrity. The early church was called "the way." The way of integrity is a better way which is the way of God's Love.

Let me ask you are you on the perfect path, the way of integrity, the road of wholeness, and the narrow route of completeness? If not then why don't you take a few minutes to pray that God would show you His way. If you are on the way then are you doing so with diligence and integrity of heart. Guard the way and keep on it all the days of your life!