Integrity. When I attended school at New Orleans Seminary for pre-seminary studies, I sat in a class of about thirty men and women. It was a great time of learning taught by a team of mostly doctoral level pastors. They would walk us through different books of the bible and often during the class-time, a sermon would break out. What a great experience it was to have our knowledge base of Scripture built up along with our spiritual life as we received a shot of what I call "spiritual adrenalin." Those of you who sat with me in those classes know what I am saying.
On the wall, at the head of the class, was a banner. Many times, schools and teachers use mottos or slogans to encourage the commitment and comradery of their students. College football programs are a good example. The University of Alabama is, "Roll Tide." The Gators, who need no other introduction use, "The Swamp; Where only gators get out alive!" Then there is Vince Lombardi, the famous Green Bay Packer's coach who said, "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." Here are just a few more:
"Winners never quit and quitters never win"
"Play hard, Win EASY"
"All Out, All Game, All Season"
"Championships are won at practice"
"Above the Crowd"
"To do things you've never done before, you have to do things you've never done before."
Most slogans, when read, challenge the student, athlete, or employee. They encourage us to rise above what is expected and to avoid complacency. It calls us to a higher level of action and living; demanding we be "self-aware and authentic", as one writer put it. The New Orleans seminary slogan was only one word. At first it appeared simple; however, if pondered, becomes deeper. "INTEGRITY!" That's it, "INTEGRITY".
That banner inspired us to be more than expected, even more than what we expected of ourselves. You would not think seminary students needed to be told to have integrity, but we were mere men and women just like everyone else. I loved it. Our professors tested us, but never sat on top of us during the test. It was a perfect opportunity to display the integrity demanded of us and demonstrated by us.
What is integrity? I have heard it defined in combination with character. According to the Britannica Dictionary, "character" is the "way someone thinks, feels, and behaves." This is important to know. It is also important for us to understand just what our character is. But character differs from integrity. One definition of integrity is: "doing the right thing knowing nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." In other words, don't do what you do for credit because someone is watching, but do it because you know it is the right thing to do regardless of recognition. Giving to the needy or practicing righteousness was used by Jesus in Matthew 6:1-2 where he tells us,
"So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men, I assure you, they already have their full reward."
This begs the question, "What is the right thing?". Does it mean picking up a piece of trash? Is it helping an elderly woman across the street? Is it pushing the grocery cart into the rack in the parking lot instead of leaving it out in the spaces? Is it giving to the person holding a sign asking for money at an intersection? The list is exhaustive and I'm sure each of you have personal examples; things you have done without concern for who was watching. As well as, things you have done to be noticed. Come on now, be real!
These things, without a doubt, made you feel good, but what is the "right" thing? Scripture gives us a clear understanding about what "right" is. GotQuestions.org, a bible study site, tells us, "the Hebrew word translated "integrity" means "the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness." In the New Testament "integrity" means "honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works". As Christians, we are called to these qualities; however, the only One to completely do this was Jesus Christ.
He alone lived out everything we just identified. In the book of Colossians, chapter 3:23-24, the apostle Paul tells us:
"Whatever you do, do your work whole-heartedly as for the Lord rather than men, knowing it is from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
You may ask, "what is that work"? In Ephesians, 2:10, Paul helps us by explaining:
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Now, it appears the good works are the "right things" God would have us do in all circumstances. We do these right things because of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The Spirit gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With the spiritual gifts as our "tools" so to speak, we can be sure they are the "right" things.
There are many benefits associated with "integrity." Most importantly, there is the knowledge these right things are achieving the commands and expectations of God. Secondly, we have the inner peace of knowing we have worked in the lives of others in a godly way. Thirdly, we can be viewed as dependable, honest, and "sincere." Sincerity is such a great concept.
In the days of old, potters would make their vessels and then paint them.
Sometimes a pot would come out of the kiln with hairline cracks. A sketchy potter would often cover those cracks with wax and then paint over it. He would misrepresent the quality of the pot and claim it was a good product. The honest potter would only sell crack-free pots and place a sign on the shelves declaring: SINCERE! "Sin = without""cere = wax." The word literally means "without wax" meaning his pots could be purchased free of blemish covered by wax. The prudent buyer would hold the pot up to the light in order to find any wax lines. If sincere, both the vessel and the honest potter demonstrated integrity.
If we live our lives with integrity, we can in a way wear a sign claiming, "sincere." It is important for us to realize how much this means to those with which we have interaction. Matthew 5:37 is part of the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. In the old testament days, it was common practice to back up something said with an oath or vow, ie: "I swear by heaven" or "I promise what I am saying is true". Jesus was telling them / us to let our word be enough.
We don't have to swear by anything or anyone if our yes and no are true because integrity translates to all we say and do. It also draws a person toward God when we act with integrity. If you say you will do something for someone, completing the task demonstrates integrity. It is also important for us to realize people, both young and old, are watching our actions in order to emulate us or not. Once again, integrity will draw others to us. As a Christian, acting with integrity is not always easy, but it is always expected.
What is integrity to you? What I am really asking is "do you have integrity?" What in your life demonstrates integrity? It is so easy to believe we are a person with integrity, but don't our actions really prove it? Jesus was a man of integrity; pure integrity. I can say this because Jesus was and is not only one hundred percent God, but He is also one hundred percent man, and as a man, Jesus is the best example of integrity.
There are some famous quotes about integrity. Here are a few:
“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.” Jackson Brown, Jr.
"People with integrity do what they say they are going to do." Dr. Laura Schlessinger
"Integrity gives you real freedom because you have nothing to fear because you have nothing to hide." Zig Ziglar
"Sometimes the cost of integrity is loss." Jack McDevitt
Finally, James M. Kerr gives us four principles of "high integrity." First, right is right. No amount of spin and positioning ever changes this fact. Second, your words are powerful and indicators of your character. Thirdly, your deeds matter. You can say anything, but its your actions that count the most. Fourth, honor is gained through trustworthiness.
Speaking for myself, integrity, I mean "real" integrity was not always a part of my life. Memories of my life before Jesus still remind me of this and I have no desire to rehearse them here. I can honestly claim integrity has become a much sought after value for me. I hope it is something you seek in your life as well. It all begins with a relationship with Jesus.
Wear Jesus Well,
Blessings,
Steve
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