Have you ever had your integrity question because you were misunderstood? I have. Have you ever questioned someone else’s integrity because you misunderstood them? I have. What is the basis of deciding if someone is full of integrity or not? Is there someone in your life who is full of integrity? I have several people in my life. What is the benefit of being full of integrity? How does it bring hope?
I would like to first define what integrity means to make sure we are all on the same page. For my purpose we will use this definition because it refers to people where the other deals with land boarders. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. To me that seems to describe what I think of when I think of integrity. How about you?
I found that there are three men that were said to have integrity two of which are my role models, King David and Job. The third is Abimelech a heathen king of Gerar. It is interesting to me that King David is on the list because of his sins of adultery and murder. Therefore, it must not be a state of sinlessness. I am very thankful for that kindness from God. King David was called a man after God’s own heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’” (ESV) Acts 13:22 Abimelech was similar to King David in that his integrity came from his own heart. “Then God said to him in the dream, ‘Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore, I did not let you touch her.’” (ESV) Genesis 20:6 Job may be different but we do not know all we know is that he had integrity. “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.’” (ESV) Job 2:3
When I have had my integrity questioned, I have often times not responded well. I have become angry and defensive instead of understanding and loving. In 2 Corinthians 1 Paul’s integrity is called into question. Paul responds to it correctly. One of things I noticed is that Paul points to his track record of being loving and concern for the Church in Corinth. He points out that the change of plans to come in visit were for their good because of Christ to spare them and to let them know they are his partners in Christ. Pastor Troy Dobbs for Grace Church Eden Prairie, MN gave a great message on this part of 2 Corinthians 1. I know that I do not always look at the track record of a person before I question their integrity. How about you
Finally, I found that integrity is a source of true hope. Job: 4:6 says, “Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” (ESV) I believe that is true because God is the absolute picture of integrity. It is His promises and guidance that gives me hope.
Join me in in being a man or woman of integrity. Live a life where you yes mean yes and your no mean no. Understand that to truly live a life of integrity you need help. You need the Holy Spirit in your heart. The only way to have Him in your heart is to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Learn how to know Jesus. Understanding that true integrity comes from God. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the penalty for my sins and yours as well. It satisfied all my sins from the past, in the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because wisdom shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
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