Take This to the Grave
Today’s Verse:
God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. ~John 27:5
Integrity refers to the honesty, uprightness, purity, and sincerity of a man. We have confidence in a man of integrity. We have faith in following the leadership of a man who has integrity. Integrity must be honed and developed through conviction, a good example, and wise decisions. Job said, “Till I die, I will not remove mine integrity from me.” Job was saying, “I’m taking my integrity with me to the grave.”
We see the essential of integrity.
Integrity tells us what a man is. Just because a man might say he is a Christian does not guarantee anyone about his integrity. Integrity is developed over time and many dealings. When the church in Acts 6 was looking for spiritual leaders to assist the Apostles, they were given the criteria of “men of honest report.” This meant men who had proven themselves in their practices and product. Moses was told by Jethro that the kind of men Moses needed to help oversee the multitude of people in Israel were “men of truth, hating covetousness and fearing God.” In essence, he was telling Moses, “You need men of integrity.” Integrity is an absolute essential for God to use us, people to trust us, and for fortification during difficult times.
We see the essence of integrity.
First, with integrity, we have grit and steadfastness when hard times come. This is the inner resilience that says, “I am not quitting.” Job had suffered immeasurable losses. He was hurting, but he determined he wasn’t quitting. Second, with integrity, we determine we are not going to complain and pitch a pity party. Men of integrity do not stand with sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful. They are resolute that they will avoid being at a place where they are blaming God or other people for their problems. Men of integrity are men of great faith. Their eyes are fixed on God for each step they take and each word that comes out of their mouth. They are committed to a walk with God and finding His mind on what to do in their circumstances.
We see the esteem in integrity.
“God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” Job said, “If need be, I will take my integrity with me to my grave.” He would not allow his critics, his crisis, or his crucible to affect his integrity. Job defended his integrity against the hurtful criticisms of his friends. Job listened to God when God told him what correction he needed in his life. Job came out of his trial by praying for his friends. We are told that the latter end of Job was better than his beginning. Job was commended for his patience during his trial. All of this is a testimonial to a man who believed God had something good for him when the trial was over.
We see the exhortation for integrity.
Determine not to be anything less than a man of integrity. Have integrity when it comes to difficulties and hard times. Have integrity when you are disappointed or deserted. Have integrity even when people around you do not. Be true, be faithful, be steadfast, be patient, and be prayerful. Be a man of integrity at all seasons. Say like Job, “Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.”
Have an integrity-driven God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Acts 7-8