By:                Uto, Joel

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Decisions determine destiny. People become Christians because they want to enjoy eternal life in heaven through Christ Jesus. Those who are doomed for eternal condemnation have also taken the decision, openly or tacitly to be on the other side of heaven. Similarly, the absence of any Christian from the activities or gathering of the church is the outcome or reflection of his or her decision. Spiritual Successes and failures are a product of decisions.

Having become a Christian give one a relationship with God. This relationship can be a closer one with God or wider one from Him dependent on the individual. A closer relationship with God is very important and needful because the days are evil:” Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” Eph.5:16.

A closer relationship with God begins with living a life of integrity which is spiritually and physically beneficial to the Christian. What is integrity?

Integrity is having a firm adherence to good value principles of life or being honestly principled to values of good life that one is expected to live. Integrity seems to have been thrown overboard giving place to the syndrome “of anything goes” in our Society today. The Church must not tow the way of the world 2 John 2:15.17. Relationships with God are sustained more on integrity than the obsessed falsehood of character, styles of life in almost every facet of ‘our’ lives today. The scriptures help everyone to examine his or herself in this regard whether one is still in the faith 2 Cor.13:5.

The Word of God presents to us quite a number of things for the Christian to abide by in order to have robust relationship with or closer to God. In the homes, in the Church, marriages, workplace, associations, community or society at large, integrity should present itself. What the word of God gives to us are either do`s or don’ts. And when each individual and all of us followed such conscientiously, God would be pleased.

Therefore we are going to examine some of the do`s and don’ts from Psm15:1-5 and 2 Pet. 1:3-8

• Walks uprightly. This is living a decent, good, honest, right-minded life calling a spade a spade
• Works righteously. This calls for work ethics free from guilt or sin 4:25.
• Speaks the truth. This is being free from talking lies but the truth in our speeches and reports as we go through the hustles of life.
• Does not backbite. This is to say mean or malicious or scornful things about person(s) in their absence. How often have you gossiped at all? Yes, avoiding gossips means that what you can’t say in the presence of a person don’t say it if the person is not present except his good or commendation.
• Does no evil to his Neighbour. Neighbour is known as anyone in contact with near or far. Luke10:30-37 Repay evil with good, maintain peace with all men 12:17-18
• Does not take up a reproach against a friend. Don’t scorn or pass any judgments on a person until you know the truth of the matter. Don’t hear one side of any matter please.
• Honour those who fear the Lord but does not honour the ungodly 1:6.
• Keep your words even when it is costly
• Does not practice usury. The lending of money with interest charge for its use especially lending with high interest rate. Can Christian therefore be money lender as it were?
• Does not take bribes. This is money or favour done to influence Judgment or conduct of person in position of trust. It calls for the kind of gratification one receives at all.
• The Old and New Testament is full of explicit or implied do`s or don`ts. Read it, study it and meditate on it.

Conclusion:

Psalm 15 is an integrity test of our daily living. How do you measure up with them? 2 Pet. 1:10-11 “wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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