Integrity: the whole thing – 23 Jan 2007

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?"
Matthew 22: 15-17 [TNIV]

Integrity is such a difficult thing to find, wouldn’t you agree? Every few years we are presented with a new candidate for political leadership who promises us to be honest and do exactly what they say they will do. After some years in office we discover that - lo and behold – in some way they have failed the integrity test, and we have suddenly had enough of them.

How easy do you find it to act with integrity? When you are laying down the law about what someone has done, are you able to look sincerely into your heart (and your actions over the past week) and pass the integrity test? Perhaps, like me, you find it hard being a Christian in the workplace. Some of my actions don’t match up to the demands of integrity when they are examined closely. People sometimes ask me “what’s your opinion?” or “what do you think about this?” These questions are opportunities to talk about our faith and beliefs – whether someone is earnestly asking to seek guidance or merely trying to trip you up (as the Pharisees tried with Jesus).

The only true “man of integrity” to walk this earth was Jesus. He wasn’t a hypocrite, he didn’t say one thing and do another. How fantastic would the year 2007 be if there were more people showing such integrity?

Lord, help us to act with integrity and consistency in all that we do. Amen