Integrity has always been a difficult concept for me to grasp. In college, it was the dudes who focused on the "warrior-like men of integrity" issue while the chicks were busy trying to not think about those dudes and guard their hearts. However, integrity is a characteristic that needs to infiltrate not only the 20-something males in colleges that have a 65/35 girl to guy ratio, but Christ followers as a whole, regardless of age, gender, or location.
Think about what came directly from Jesus' mouth:
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath; but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all ... Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:33-34, 37, NIV).
That is profound. What if every Christ follower was a man of his word? What if we never said anything we didn't mean? What if we acted upon the things we've said? What if when we tell a friend "I'll pray for you", we actually did it? There would be no need to make promises and oaths, for we would all be naturally trustworthy men and women of our word.
The face of the planet would be transformed if Christ followers everywhere actually followed Christ in one of his most noble traits. What would happen if every Christian held onto the conviction of integrity, not for integrity's sake, but for the glory of God and the love of our neighbors?
Pieces of heaven. Restoration. Souls awakening to the kingdom among us. Freedom. Unconditional love. Joy.
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