Living with Integrity in the World Today
The great Man of integrity, in all of history is Jesus, of Nazareth.
'No one ever spoke like this man'. And his deeds matched his words. However the integrity of this man was too much for the human race to cope with, so "we" - the corporate human race - got rid of him. An expedient conspiracy. A useful scapegoat. A calculated murder.
Wonderfully enough the story does not end there. On the third day, to the surprise of all throughout history, and those closest to him in that day - he was raised from the grave. Resurrection. Flesh and bones. Humanity defeating death! Integrity triumphing.
The ancient writer said: 'Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the issues of life'.
It is the heart of stone, that Jesus comes to make a soft, warm palpable heart of genuine integrity. By grace, through faith, and this not of ourselves. His integrity shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given to us. His genuine motivation - agape love. A strange, yet original, self-giving love, that never ends, endures all things, and hopes all things. A mighty river. An ocean!
Friends, if you would like to meet a person of utter integrity, seek your maker, by faith. Seek to know him in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Hear his Word to you, and receive his Spirit.
People who have come to Jesus, the Christ have found such redeeming kindness and honesty, that they have begun to love their only Lord - like no other. Then the flow of relationships, and contribution to life have changed magnificently. Some gradually. Others in an open, obvious manner.
May this Christ - give you renewed integrity, as you seek him in faith, in heart, in life, in example, in worship, in service, in the daily thoughts of your heart.
Turning us away from lesser things, is his work in us.
Turning us to the great things, He, the Eternal Son of God, the Son of the Father, the Holy One, calls us to share in the great Divine plan.
And why not?
