Integrity

Okay, so this is Holly--I'm filling in for Erin who is AMAZING at these.

*INTEGRITY*
What is integrity? Why is it important? Is it a reasonalbe quality in today's society?

It used to be that it was expected for a person to be a person of integrity--business deals could be sealed with a handshake, and each would come through on his/her end of the bargain. Now we have so much paperwork-contracts and such to ensure someone's trustworthiness; we even 1/2expect our politicians to be corrupt (sterotypically).

Instead of integrity being a quality that we expect and respectfrom others, it's one that we hope for, but don't really expect them to have.

So what does it mean to be a person of integrity?
according to "Dictionary.com"...
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

ALl of these are correct.
Example: if a car crash occurs on an overpass, they may need to check the structural integrity of the bridge. What does that mean? While it may not look like there's anything wrong with it, there could be cracks. Cracks that could cause it to break. It's not Sound, unimpaired or undivided.

What if we have "cracks"? Well, we all do... but we can strive to eliminate them and live a Christ-like life.

One man said to being a man of integrity meant being who you are in private, what you are in public. You're not hiding anything.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven"
Integrity reflects the character of God. Shine the light of Jesus.

What else does it mean to be a person of integrity?
You sleep better at night--you have a clear conscious, no regrets. Job was a man of itegrity-- Job 27:5-6: "5I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. 6I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live." I will not deny my integrity--my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.

Psalm 15:1-2, "1Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? who may live on your holy hill? 2He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart" A person of integrity is closer to God.
Okay, go with me for a second--you go to McD's and get back a dollar extra in change. Do you give it back? ....yes! that's what a person of integrity would do. even if it's JUST one measly dollar. Little things lead to big things, and God rewards integrity--Luke 16:10-11 "10 whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 so if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

Acts 24:16 "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." Daniel 6:4 "At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." They tried to find some dirt on Daniel--but there wasn't any. He lived his life so that he didn't have to try and hide anything. Make yourself a person who's not worried about being found out. Don't have anything you need to hide.

In Christ's love,
holly :o)
*scriptural references: Joe Bernardy*