The Sunday Conversation | with Pastor Luke Okoro | 27. 02. 2022
Genesis 1:3. John 1:1-14. Psalms 119:89.
“For ever , O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89.
“And God said, let there be light, and there was light” Genesis 1:3.
It’s a common thing among human beings to describe people as: a man or woman of integrity. This is perhaps, the most trustful word to describe a person’s character. When that adjective is used, it means that such a person has the best and highest of quality recommendation and regard. . Yet , it is also not surprising to notice that such people may, and indeed, do have some skeletons in their cupboard thereby, making nonsense of their description as persons of INTEGRITY.
What then is Integrity?.
Integrity is to have moral and ethical strength. To be strong both morally and ethically. That quality of character that leaves you without blemish, compromise or dishonorable or in disrepute. The quality of being honest, wholesome, complete, total and durable and stable. You are simply incorruptible, upright and genuine. This is what people mean when they describe others as having INTEGRITY. This is a rarity among men.
But whereas this could be hard among human beings made in the image of God, integrity is indeed the QUALITY God has ascribed to HIS WORD. God’s word has integrity. That’s to say God’s word cannot be associated with failure, disrepute, dishonesty, instability, dishonor or compromise. The Psalmist was right when he shouted: For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Yes, God’s word has been settled in heaven before they were made manifest on earth. That’s why the Bible tells us that God spoke out the word and everything on earth came into existence. He called into existence the things that are not as if they were . That is why God is the only person who keeps promise, and can be indeed regarded as : having Integrity. Surely, others may fail, be compromised, but He remains stable, durable, firm and honest with unquestionable accountability, transparency and distinctiveness, even though He doesn’t owe man any explanations regarding His ways and actions. He is an Excellent God no doubt.
Therefore, when we converse on The Integrity of God’s word, we are talking about the word of God being unchangeable, uncompromisable, complete, total, firm, strong, eternal and ever honest and true. Psalms 19.
We are also saying that God’s word is dependable, faithful, trustworthy and reassuring because it must come to pass as stated by God Himself. You may debate about it till eternity .You may attempt to controvert it as the devil did before Eve in the Garden of Eden. . You may even try to make it appear false and of none effect , as fools do . Psalms14:1. Any person may do these things insofar as they don’t have the hope of eternity in view. John 14:1-2. But God’s word will ever remain faithful, reliable and provable. Those who neglect it, or reject it or denigrate it, do so to their eternal hurt, condemnation and disgrace and shame. Romans 8:1.
In Genesis 7. God saw that there was much wickedness on the face of the earth . So much evil that God felt bad to have made man in His own image to inhabit the earth. Somehow, He raised Noah:– described as a righteous man — to preach righteousness , repentance and salvation to the evil generation of his day. But they taunting him, and laughing him to scorn. Noah became a derision among them. But God’s word to them was that He would destroy them with flooding. As at that time , it had not rained on the face of the earth. So, it was easy to deride Noah since rain was utopian. Don’t forget we are conversing on : The integrity of God’s word. Their foolishness, their unbelief and their pouring of insults on Noah did not make God’s word of none effect.
Then God instructed Noah to build an Ark with definite specifications. And the rains came…On the appointed day, God Himself shut the door of the Ark, Noah couldn’t even unlock it assuming he became pitiful for his perishing compatriots. or generation.
In Genesis 18: 20-33, God came down to witness for Himself the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. As it is happening today, they lived in Sodomy, and in complete disregard to divine order . Nothing mattered to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Strangely, Lot, who lived among them was saintly. But for the greedy wife, all of his family would have been saved. The experiences of Noah and Lot challenge the present day believers who excuse everything on the altar of modernism and technology. If those in the Days of Noah and Lot were able to keep to truth and righteousness, I doubt if our own generation has any plea bargain to make. We just have to abide by the rules of engagement to meet Baba God .. .if we MUST.
Abraham’s plea for mercy was short for God to reverse His judgement upon Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was too grievous.Hmmm danger ahead!!.
Today, the same message of salvation is going round the world. . Many are hearing it, But few are indeed paying heed. Are you among the few heeding the message?; Please do because tomorrow could be too late. 2 Corinthians 6:2..
This is the beginning of this series of our Sunday Conversation for the weeks ahead. This foundation is important to prepare to launch us into God’s promises, His covenants and the Hope of Eternity with Him — when the saints shall gather at the feet of Him who is currently: The Way, The truth , and, The Life. John;14:6. Happy Sunday. God bless.
•Pastor Okoro, a revivalist and marriage counselor, can be reached on:
08051000462.
February 27.
