Shunning Evil

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

Job 1:1 (NASB95)

Job was a man of character.  One of the character traits that made him useful to God was that he shunned evil.  The NASB uses the word turning away from evil.  That is a great descriptive phrase.  We, like Job, as Christ followers, must turn away from evil.  It is easy to make for ourselves exceptions and excuses.  But what honors the Lord is when we turn away from the evil opportunities before us.

Evil is all around us and temptations lie in wait.  We must plan ahead and decide what we will do when temptation comes knocking.

Will we turn away or give in to evil?  The choice will be yours today.

Demonstration of Grace

 But I received mercy because of this, so that in me, the worst [of them] , Christ Jesus might demonstrate the utmost patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

1 Tim 1:16 (HCSB)

The Apostle Paul understood his usefulness in the Kingdom of God.  He new that even in salvation it wasn't about him but about Jesus.  Our salvation is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His grace and what He can do with a sinful being.  While our salvation certainly is a gift and benefit to us.  It is also a part of God's bigger picture of His glory.  You were not saved just for you to escape hell but to proclaim His goodness and greatness.
If we as Christ followers fail to proclaim our testimony of salvation, if we do not tell others of His grace, love and forgiveness, we are not fulfilling our purpose for living.  Be challenged by Paul to not think about what you have been given but how what you have been given can impact the lives of others as a demonstration of His grace.

Integrity

There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, Job 1:1 (HCSB)
Character does count no matter how many politicians tell you it doesn't.  Job was a man of character.  Because he had character God could use him, be glorified by him and could challenge him to grow.
One attribute of Job's godly character was integrity.  Job had integrity.  Integrity is a morale code of sound values.  It means that Job was honest, fair and trustworthy. 
Because of Job's integrity he would be used by God to glorify God.  How about you?  Do you have integrity?  Will God be glorified through your life because you are a person of character?  Integrity is an important character trait for every Christ follower.

He is with You!

He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your fathers that He swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.

Deut 4:31 (HCSB)