1 Kings 9:4-5 (NKJV) Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgements, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
David knew God, and it kept him humble. He desired to please God. Of course, David was less than perfect, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He committed adultery with Bethsheba but repented when he was confronted by Samuel. He picked himself up after repentance and continued walking with God.
In the opening Scripture, God was teaching King Solomon what it took to ensure the continuity of the throne of Israel. It was to walk in God’s statutes and commandments, with integrity of heart and righteousness. The Mosaic Covenant was a conditional covenant, whereby God’s blessings would only be present when they walked in His ways. Similarly, we will also reap the consequences of our flesh through the decisions we make, even though God loves us unconditionally in the New Covenant. God is not mocked, because we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). However, as new creations, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in God’s ways. Therefore, we can walk with the integrity of our hearts and do works of righteousness.
It takes character to carry the anointing God has given us in our roles and responsibilities in the church and at work. The devil is not afraid of our anointing; all he needs to do is attack our character by feeding our ego. Pride will develop and lead to our downfall. We will begin to think that we have single-handedly built the business, the work, or the ministry. Therefore, it is better to employ and promote someone with character because such people will go far with us. It is easier to train a person of character than a gifted one, because a person of character is humble enough to listen. A prideful person will not listen to others’ opinions nor be a good team player. They will be full of self, have a form of godliness, but deny the power of God in their life to bear the fruit of righteousness.
Spiritual or godly leaders will not make any significant move in their lives without seeking the face of God. David inquired of the Lord on many occasions before he attacked the enemies. He was reliant on God. We need to lay down our rights to our lives and truly desire God to be Lord over us. Living a consecrated life is one which is set apart for the Lord in holiness, just as the Lord is holy. It covers every aspect of our lives: our life partner, managing our wealth and assets, gifting, and our career. Choosing to live for God this way enables us to always seek the Lord’s will and direction for our lives.
Sermon Series: Walk into Your Calling
品格才是关键
列王纪上 9:4–5 你若效法你父大卫，存诚实正直的心行在我面前，遵行我一切所吩咐你的，谨守我的律例、典章， 5 我就必坚固你的国位在以色列中直到永远，正如我应许你父大卫说：‘你的子孙必不断人坐以色列的国位。’
大卫认识神，这使他常常存谦卑的心。他渴望讨神的喜悦。当然，大卫并不完美，因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。他曾与拔示巴犯奸淫罪，但当先知指出他的罪时，他真实地悔改了。悔改之后，他重新站立起来，继续与神同行。
在这段开篇经文中，神教导所罗门王，什么才能确保以色列王位的延续——就是存诚实正直的心，遵行神的律例和诫命。摩西之约是一个有条件的约，神的祝福只有在百姓行在祂道路中时才会彰显。同样地，即使在新约之下，神以无条件的爱爱我们，我们仍然会因自己所作的决定而收割属肉体的后果。神是轻慢不得的，人种的是什么，收的也是什么（加拉太书 6:7–8）。然而，作为在基督里的新造之人，我们已经被圣灵赋能，可以行在神的道路中。因此，我们能够存着正直的心，行出公义的行为。
要承载神所赐的膏抹，无论是在教会中的服事，还是在职场中的职责，都需要品格。仇敌并不惧怕我们的膏抹，他只需要借着喂养我们的自我和骄傲来攻击我们的品格。骄傲一旦滋长，就会带来败坏与跌倒。我们会开始以为，是自己一手建立了事业、工作或事工。因此，与其单看恩赐，不如重视品格，去雇用和提拔有品格的人，因为这样的人能与我们一同走得更远。相比之下，塑造一个有品格的人，往往比塑造一个只有恩赐的人更容易，因为有品格的人愿意谦卑聆听；而骄傲的人既不愿听取他人的意见，也难以成为好的团队成员。他们可能有敬虔的外貌，却否认神在他们生命中使其结出公义果子的能力。
属灵、敬虔的领袖，在生命中作任何重要决定之前，都会先寻求神的面。大卫在多次出征前都求问耶和华，显明他对神的倚靠。我们也需要放下对自己生命的主权，真心渴望让神作我们的主。过一个奉献、分别为圣的生活，就是为主而活、在圣洁中与主同行，因为主本是圣洁的。这种生活涵盖我们生命的每一个层面：婚姻与伴侣、财富与资产的管理、恩赐的运用，以及我们的职业道路。当我们选择这样为神而活时，就能在凡事上持续寻求主的旨意和祂对我们生命的引导。
讲道系列：走进你的呼召