INTEGRITY

By Kevin Rutherford

The word integrity means, “honesty and sincerity.” We enjoy being around people who are honest and sincere. We like to work with people of integrity. We want to do business with such individuals. When seeking those who will study the Bible with us we long to find men and women of integrity. Unfortunately that is not an easy task. Often those who could be characterized as people of integrity in their business or personal life seem to loose sight of that quality when it comes to spiritual matters.

There are some individuals who do not want to be confused with the facts. They have their own perspective on the spiritual and don’t intend to let anything interfere with that. They are comfortable with their view and uncomfortable with those who would challenge their beliefs. The Word of God is truth (John 17:17). While there are many reasons why people reject the truth, perhaps the most common is a failure to love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Men and women of integrity love the truth. Those who are honest and sincere desire to know the truth, even if the truth conflicts with what they previously believed (John 8:32).

We understand that most people will be lost (Matthew 7:13, 14). Most will be lost because they lack the integrity to search for and apply the truth. While it is easy for members of the church of Christ to point their fingers at those who are worldly and those who are in denominations, we must never fail to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). Are we a people of integrity? As members of the one church which the Lord established on the day of Pentecost, we must be a people of a integrity. God would expect no less of us.

Can we say we are a people of integrity if we listen to sermons taught week after week and make little effort to apply them? Can we say we are a people of integrity if we show little or no concern for the assembly of the saints? Can we say we are a people of integrity if we are not actively involved in seeking to bring others to Christ? Can we say we are a people of integrity if we are not daily seeking to grow as Christians? The answer to these questions is obviously, “No!”

Too many Christians are too caught up in the world. So many of us see Christianity as a part of our lives when it should be the whole of our lives. Satan has many Christians right where he wants them. He wants them in a lukewarm condition. Have you forgotten that the Lord spews lukewarm Christians and congregations out of His mouth (Revelation 3:14-16)?

The worldly lack integrity. The denominational members lack integrity. However, members of the church of Christ should never lack that honesty and sincerity which is so vital to salvation (Philippians 1:10). Make up your mind to be a fervent, growing Christian whose life could be characterized by the word, “integrity.”