Integrity

Focus verses: II Corinthians 10:1-11

Paul is speaking to the Corinthians about a dichotomous world. There is the world of the corporeal, the flesh, the concrete things we can see. Then there is the world of the spirits. And while most of us cannot see this world, it is none-the-less real. In fact, it is sometimes more real than the illusions we call reality.

We live in a society where things are all-important. The biggest houses, the sleekest cars, the newest electronic gadgets, the most money and similar non-essentials seem to dictate who is or is not important. Balderdash!!

From the least to the greatest, each person has the same value in the eyes of God. That value is the price of Jesus' life. From the holiest saint to the vilest sinner, He paid that price for each of them as if there were only one.

Having accepted the sacrifice of Christ in our place, we have been adopted from Adam's sinful household into God's family. Therefore, we have the resources of that family to draw upon.

Our most valuable "resource" is the indwelling Holy Spirit. This comforter that Jesus promised His disciples is our lifeline in this battleground we call life.

I love the KJV wording of verses four and five.

and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

This verse is the key to integrity. When our every thought is captive to the obedience of Christ, we are truly whole and one with God. Please don't misunderstand that last phrase. I'm not thinking that we can be god. We cannot, we are not, we never will be god. But we can be His devoted servant-child - thinking as He thinks, doing what He would have us do, feeling the things He feels.

In the movie "White Christmas" Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen sang the song "Sisters, Sisters" where one line reads:

Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one.

The quality of thinking like and acting like Jesus is ours only because of the Holy Spirit. If we bring every thought, every feeling, every action in our lives captive to the will of Christ, we have integrity. There can be no falseness in us because there is no falseness in Christ.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

He says He is the Truth. He is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. One who has true integrity is the same inside and out. He is all of a piece. He is one unified whole. Jesus gave us the example of how to walk in integrity during His life on earth. Let us emulate Him sincerely.

Father, God,

Grant that we may be obedient servant-children in Your family. Help us to walk in the same integrity that Jesus embodied here on earth. Give us the wisdom to listen to Your Holy Spirit at all times.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.