Living Inside Out

God evaluates, rewards, and judges character in our closest relationships.

The flesh tries to look righteous to the world, but cannot fake it with those closest.  Those near us know if we are true or hypocritical. 

If we are hypocrites, when the world around us sees our failure, we suddenly feel ashamed, but daily we excuse our hypocrisy to those nearest.  This is the devil's game to keep us the same.. to abort our rebirth.

If we possess integrity... If we really are reaching to be changed by God...  those closest to us experience it first.

God, then myself, then my wife, my kids, my family, etc.

The kingdom comes from the inside out, not the outside in.  It's a faith-based kingdom.  I believe, which means I behold something unseen and believe it about God... The beauty of His holiness... and it begins to change me inside.

God sees everything. Do I live before His eyes, or do I hope everyone thinks I am good? 

God calls me at my worst, not to condemn me, but to change me! He invites me near how I am. My flesh wants to look good, but not really change. God doesn't care if my flesh looks good... He intends to crucify it to set me free from self leadership.

As I put that shame to death,  embrace how God sees me, how God sees the world around me, and how those closest to me see me, I can't help but change.

Truth. Sets. Free. If I let the truth in.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NKJV — Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

My flesh is slippery.  It tells me I'm fine, or condemns me without cause... it does both.  

I need to be able to learn about my integrity from God. He uses people near me, both friends and enemies, to show me. Do I listen, or does shame and pride self-defend my flesh, which should be dying? Do shame and pride bludgeon me over and over on something I think I see, though God sees real change and other areas that need His invitation, not my self-flagellation?  I have to know either way.

Do I let those closest to me admonish me and tell me where I need to change? If not, I am not changing to be ready for heaven.

If I self-defend and fight to be seen a certain way, if I resist the negative evaluation of those closest to me, I am simply not in the flow of rebirth. If I let God and those closest to me tell me what they really experience when they experience me... I actually let the truth in... And I converse with God in that truth

... I can't help but change!

Matthew 5:16 NKJV — “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do I experience this^ in my CLOSEST relationships?  Is 'those closest to me glorifying God for how I am changing' my vision for this reality.

Do I abort relationships when they stop feeling good to me, or do I like finding out where I need to change?

Matthew 5:24-25 NKJV — “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

God loves it when I learn confidence in His righteousness, and that confidence in HIS righteousness  changes my behavior, allows me to truly see myself in the light of God's eyes, and grow in the confidence that my flesh must die, not be defended. 

When I see God's mercy towards me for real, it turns into mercy flowing out of me toward those closest...my wife, my kids, even myself... who also NEED mercy, like I do.  

Even if those closest to me are enemies, I can still love them and my integrity will still shine through.  The centurion, who was killing Jesus, could not deny the integrity of Jesus' life:

Mark 15:39 NKJV — So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

When I see God's patience, it becomes patience flowing from me if I really appreciate His patience with my weakness and sincere trust in His righteousness.

Peace

Love

Joy

Kindness

Gentleness

Self control

Generosity

Considering others better than myself

If Samantha doesn't see me growing in these^... Then believe me, God doesn't see me growing in these either.  If Samantha tries to tell me where she doesn't see these and I write her off as biased, I miss a chance to really change. But if I listen, then talk to God about Samantha's evaluation, trying to see what she sees, God helps me change! Whether Samantha was right or wrong, God wants me to be more like Him!

Romans 14:18-19 NKJV — For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

It's important to understand the good tree produces fruit approved by BOTH God and man... Seen by both God and man.  

It's not me and God against the world.  It's me letting God in so I can be one with Him IN the world.  When people encounter God, they feel loved, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, selflessness... Do those closest to me experience this?  Do I believe this about myself... That I am growing in these?  

Do those closest to me approve of the way I am growing in the fruit of the Spirit?  They might not like it, but do they know it?

The world will hate you if you truly serve Jesus.  But those closest to you... Those who really see your growing integrity, humility, and rebirth will approve the changes in you if you are truly being born again.  They will also highlight to you where you lack changes if you are willing to listen and take it to God for real.

Matthew 7:12-19 NKJV — “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.