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Definition of INTEGRITY. 1: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility. 2: an unimpaired condition : soundness
A definition of integrity found in Webster’s Dictionary is 1. Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values. 2. An unimpaired condition; soundness
Followers of Christ are to live a life of integrity according to God’s standard. The firm adherence of a believer to God’s standard is what makes a Christian a person of integrity.
Intentionally live a life of integrity. Believers are called to live a life of integrity. In order to live a life like this we must live intentionally or on purpose. Each day we must remind ourselves and live a life that is determined to be one of integrity.
Now, we are to live our life of integrity. We cannot wait until our faith is stronger or more mature. I choose to belie that Christians desire to live a life integrity and honesty. Somewhere along life’s path they get distracted. We decide to begin today living a life of integrity.
Truthfulness is a must. When believers enter into a relationship with Christ they are to automatically use Christ as a role model for life. Christ was truthful in each of the dealings he had with people. When speaking with the Pharisees he spoke in terms they understood communicating the truth of our heavenly Father. Christ spoke the truth in love, not fake love but genuine caring. There are times we may say we love someone yet the way we communicate with them isn’t loving.
Example of the savior is to be followed. We are called to be Christ like in our daily life. Jesus set an example of honesty and values for us. He treated people well. He acted according to his values in every instance. He was open with people about what the scripture said and how God expects us to act. Christians who are people of integrity act consistently according to God’s word. They don’t have to wear the Christianity on their sleeve for there is a sense of God within them.
God provides the best example:
Right mindedness is a synonym of integrity. To be right minded as a Christian is to have the mind of Christ within us. The “right” mind is that of becoming like Christ and attempting to think and act like him.
In step with God is the only right step. During marching band we practiced staying in step with the other band members. We were to keep an eye on the people marching next to us and stay in step. Staying in step with God is living consistently with God. I am to walk beside God and stay in step with Him.
Trustworthiness is a character trait to have in your life. Political candidates often assure us we can trust them. Believers should automatically be viewed as trustworthy. God tells us we can trust Him. We sing a hymn that has a chorus that says: “only trust him now”. God is worthy of our trust, we should be worthy of the trust of others.
Yahweh provides the inspiration. I can only live a life of Integrity with God in my life. I must have allot of God in me, allow God to be the Lord of my life. There is a familiar bumper sticker that says God is my co-pilot. I think I would rather have God as my pilot.

Hazel Lawson went to be with the Lord April 5, 1994. Like most folks there are some days I still hear the voice of my mom in my head telling me things. One thing I remember every time I put on a white shirt or khaki pants is: Joey try and keep them clean this time, you get everything dirty. You probably should never wear white. Other phrases come at random times but carry impact. Phrases like pick up after yourself, wash behind your ears, and always tell the truth. I find our minds are unique in that after decades and millions of bits of information I can recall things said to me in childhood. What a blessing to be reminded of important life lessons. Even more important than remembering life lessons is that of putting them into action.
In the book of James we are told to be doers of the word. James 1:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Look this verse up in most translations and vs. 22 comes out the same, Be doers of the word! I heard the words of my mom and tried to do what she said. God says the same thing to you and I today, be doers of the word! The first way James tells us to be doers of the word is by setting aside things that are not wholesome or Godly in our lives. The King James uses the words filthiness and naughtiness. Most of us would say we are not naughty or filthy. Yet it doesn’t matter what I say it matters what God says.
Frequently we equate being a doer of the word with acts of service we do for God. We serve the church, teach Sunday School, make a visit, or take food to the sick. These are all actions of being a doer of the word. Yet they are not a substitute for being in the Word of God and applying it to our life. Becoming familiar with God’s word and serving should both be simultaneous actions. We can’t do either effectively without both. I can be so heavenly minded that I read the Bible and never serve. I soak up God which is good yet never practice what I learn. I can also become so busy serving that I neglect time with God and am spiritually unprepared for service. We are mandated by God to be in the word of God and a doer of the word of God.
The psalmist writes in Psalm 119: 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Hiding God’s word in my heart and your heart keeps us from sinning and places God’s presence actively in our life. We are challenged to become familiar with God through his word. We should hide his word in our heart or keep it in a very safe and secure place. Keep it in A place where we know where it is and that we can have it ready and available. The psalmist writes further about the value of God’s word when he says in Psalms 119:104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. We find in these verses that God’s word is the ultimate GPS. Making a hospital visit to Chicago proved to be a great adventure when the GPS took us to the wrong place. I had put in the correct place and address yet somehow the technology took us several miles from the hospital to an area of the big city where the country folks shouldn’t have been. The psalmist and God guarantees us that when we follow his word he will not lead us astray. God’s word is the ultimate and superior GPS for life. I believe it is the only GPS we need.
We should strive to be the best doer of the word we can be with God. We should fill our minds with God’s thoughts first. I believe my other reading should be done in the context of the Bible then God’s wisdom can guide my mind. The greatest “doing” we can do as a believer is to become like God. All other doing will grow out of our relationship with God.

My son Josh is taking foods in high school. We were talking about class the other day and he shared that they had learned about the egg, what made an egg grade A or another grade, and several ways to cook an egg. That reminded me of my FFA days when a few of my classmates and I were on a chicken judging team. One of the areas of judging was grading eggs using the “candling technique”. This tried and true method is done by placing a light or candle behind the egg to determine the size of the air space and any other impurities in the egg. One can place a measuring device over the top of the egg and determine the Grade of the egg.
I have come to believe that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, who came as light to dispel darkness, is the candle for the grading of a Christian. I am graded and measured by the light of Christ. The time I spend in reading and studying the Bible, praying, and serving are each benchmarks which Christ can measure our maturity. The ultimate grading of my relationship with Christ is the progress in which I become more like Christ each day. While I believe in grace I still try to work my way into Christ likeness by reading and doing. Perhaps I need to spend more time talking to and listening to the savior. This could raise my grade.

Psalm 100: 1-2On your feet now—applaud GOD! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. The Psalmist challenges us to worship God with applause, standing and cheering for Him. A gift God would love is that of hearing his children laugh. We should sing ourselves into his presence. The imagery here is one of jubilation. The celebration happens as people realize the awesome power and personal presence of God. The Psalmist worships God in his way by applauding God and laughing and laughing with God. Worship is our attitude toward God. How we long for God and acknowledge his power and presence in our life.
Worship for the believer should be daily and personal. Corporate worship is a result of our private worship throughout the week. I pray you have a good worship day each day.