Integrity

Submitted by David Miller
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

God not only has characteristics, He has character. The characteristics of God are often spoken of: compassion, holiness, righteousness, justice, and mercy, to name a few. But the Bible speaks of God's character, too.  He is never changing: the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is faithful, trustworthy, true, and loyal. He can be counted on. His Word is everlasting. As a God of integrity, He desires a life of integrity in His followers.

Integrity is a God-like life of consistency and sincerity, with no deception or pretense. Integrity's overriding quality is wholeness. In other words, no discrepancy exists between one's public life and one's private life. People of integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

Integrity is not our reputation. Integrity is not success and our accomplishments. Integrity equals the total between our being and our actions. Integrity is not something we have, but something we are. It inevitably shows itself in what we do and say. Integrity is needed because people are watching us. Will our behavior match our beliefs? Will our character correspond with our confession?

I remember years ago when I was a Chief of Police, I was having a very bad day.  During the day, my actions (mainly my temperament), shall we say, were probably not very Christ like.  Towards the end of the day, one of my detectives came to my office and asked me if I was still going to church.  I replied, in a very abrasive tone, yes I was and why was he asking.  He simply replied, “I just haven’t seen the church in you today.”  Talk about an immediate wake up call for my actions!

The old adage is true: Our walk must match our talk. We need to live in such a way that our family, church, and friends, and even detectives, will know that who we say we are, we are. When everything is stripped away, our name, reputation, and character are all we have. For the sake of our churches, our families, and our very lives, a life of integrity is required. In fact, integrity is as essential as spiritual health, family priorities, and personal development. In the long run, integrity is what really matters.

For one to live with integrity necessitates that one conduct himself in an authentic manner. Paul instructed the Philippians, Be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.   (Phil. 1:10, NASB)

Men and women of integrity are those rare and lasting individuals who are the real thing. They have no hidden flaws and no hidden agenda. They are authentic and genuine.