The Plumbline

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (Ephesians 1:22-23) What does it mean to have Christ as our authority in life? In a very simple sense, it means we no longer try to run our lives the best we can and hope everything will come out all right. We trust a higher power to actually orchestrate our lives, keeping watch over us, guiding us in all that we do. The church is his body. Are you the church? Yes, if you have said 'yes' to Jesus. The church isn't a building or a denomination. It is believers everywhere, under his authority, living life together in Christian community. As his church, we have a mission - to grow in Christ, sharing his grace with others who haven't experienced it as we have. The church (you and I) is made 'full and complete by Christ. He fills us with...

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool. Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark). The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes]; then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself].  (Proverbs 19:1-3 Amplified Bible) Integrity sometimes seems like a thing of the past. Wherever we look, we can find perfect examples of how NOT to act, can't we? The pride of some causes them to tout their riches and fame, thinking that those things really matter, while the dark secrets of others make them go 'underground' in their sin and anguish. The more the meaning of integrity is 'rewritten' by society, the more important it is for us to look to God's W...