Benefits of Christian Practices 9

Memory Verse: …  ‘The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you’. Philippians 4:9 (AMP).

Text: Matthew 5:3-12

Spiritual Emphasis: Christian practices are any regular and intentional activities that establish, develop, and nourish our personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is more about practice than belief. For us to grow spiritually, Christian practices are essential. It is important to note that for us to experience the full benefits of these practices, these elements must form the foundation of our Christian practices – it must be regular, and it must be intentional. Then and only then, we will be able to establish, develop, and nourish our personal relationship with God, and be transformed by Him.

 Benefits of Integrity in the life of a Christian

• Integrity is doing what is right and acceptable before God. This is so because it is almost impossible to live in our world with total uprightness without having a God factor in you. So, ‘acceptable’ and ‘right’ can only be achieved with a belief in God.

1. Integrity Brings Kindness: It means far more to God to have integrity than to exhibit religious performance. Rahab had an opportunity to help, and she did not fail, she held her part of the bargain. If she had no integrity, she would have failed to help the spies, and she would not have received the kindness that was shown to her and her family – Joshua 6:25; Joshua 2:12-14; Luke 6:31; 1 Thess. 5:15; Prov. 3:3.
2. Integrity Grants Favor: Another benefit of integrity is the favor it brings you. A pure and upright heart brings out the best in you. When God searches your heart and finds that your intentions are true you will receive favor. Rahab received favor even though her people were destroyed because she did what was acceptable to God – Prov. 21:3; Joshua 6:17; James 4:17.

Questions/Activities: Integrity is when our behavior matches our beliefs. It’s when what you say and what you do match up. You have integrity when your private life and your public life align. It’s when you walk your talk and practice what you preach. Do you agree with any of these definitions? Please share your thoughts.

Conclusion. Not many of us would disagree that our world would be a better place if people lived with integrity. The damage caused by a lack of integrity today is seen everywhere. All a person has to do is watch the news or read on the internet about someone who everyone thought was the “real deal,” only to learn they had fallen into some shocking behavior. As believers, reading the Word of God daily, meditating on the Word, and doing everything in the Word, is the only way to truly be like Christ and enjoy His benefits He has for us. 

Shalom! Self-Study: Daniel 6:10; Mark 1:35; 1 Tim. 4:15; John 3:21; Rom. 12:13; 2 Peter 1:10; 1 John 3:10; Matt. 6:1; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; Lev. 18:3; Gal. 5:21; 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Nehemiah 2:1-8.