Nothing reflects so much honor on a workman as a trial of his work and its endurance of it. So it is with God. It honors Him when His saints preserve their integrity. (Charles Spurgeon)
Living with integrity is what pleases God and we can only accomplish this through the power of his Spirit that lives within us. Have you ever been criticized for being 'too good' or 'too respectable' in your actions? Don't stop living that way! It is a thing that definitely honors God!
In the midst of trials, our endurance is put to the test. If we are truthful, none of us really enjoys the trial as much as we appreciate the 'thing within us' that keeps us strong, faithful, and committed to the journey, right? It is God's Spirit within, helping us, driving us forward, moving within us when our own flesh cries out for it to all come to an end.
Clean, innocent lives aren't always appreciated by the masses. There will be those who find something to criticize in making those choices. There will always be criticism for choosing 'righteousness' over compromise. If you find yourself being ridiculed or criticized for your commitment to Christ, rejoice! It means your faith is evident!
One does not find deep, intimate faith a thing easily understood by those who do not know Christ. We still let our light shine, not so much in our words, as in our actions. We don't need to be understood to live right. We need the power of God resident within and that comes through ongoing, growing trust in his goodness, grace, and love.
What mankind doesn't understand is the purity of heart a child of God is given. When a heart is truly pure, their actions reflect that innocence and integrity. Some will find it a little 'uncomfortable' to be around such deep integrity, but others will see it and be drawn to the grace of God by it. Just sayin!
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