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Honest to God #3

To live with a free spirit is a beautiful way to live - unhindered, open, free to live, to think, to breathe, to love, to dream.  The truth is what sets us free (John 8:31-32)! 

“Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’"   - John 8:31-32

“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”   - John 8:36

Sometimes we avoid the truth because:
1. We won’t measure up.
2. We don’t trust God completely.
 
Psalm 15:1-5

Integrity means being honest, truthful, loyal, and dependable.

We cannot build a great life, great friendships, great businesses, great churches, or be great leaders without a foundation of integrity.  Integrity does not talk about people behind their back. Integrity does not gossip.  Integrity keeps its word.  If I say I’m going to do it – you can count on me.

“He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.”   - Proverbs 10:9

“A righteous man who walks in integrity – how blessed are his sons after him.”   - Proverbs 20:7

Our integrity has an impact on everyone around us.  Building a great life requires integrity of heart.

David committed the sin of sleeping with Bathsheba and then arranging to have her husband killed.

1. He should have been at battle.
2. His cover-up kept growing.  (One cover up always requires another cover-up!)

God called him out through the prophet Nathan. It’s important to understand that God never calls us out to condemn us- but to restore us.

“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.”   - Psalm 51:1

David appealed to God’s grace.

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.”   - Psalm 51:2-4

Own the truth before God. We all have skewed perceptions, but wrestle with the truth – with God.  Ultimately – we are living for an audience of One.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.”   - Psalm 51:5-6

This whole series has been about loving truth. When we get honest with ourselves about what is working and what is not working, then we can move forward.

“God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.”   - Psalm 51:10 (Message)

Facing the truth gives us a fresh start. If we start with the truth – we can end up with something healthy.

David blew it, faced the truth, and God gave him a new beginning.

“Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!”   - Psalm 51:11-12 (Message)

Where are you in your passion for God?  Could anybody use a fresh wind, a breath of fresh air?

Where do you need to face the truth in your life? Where do you need to be honest to God?