Integrity

Integrity

A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. (Numbers 30:2).

A godly character starts by living as people of truth. We are to keep promises because our promises are made to or before, the Lord our God. We take more oaths than you realize: getting married we make promises, when we join a church, we make promises, when we sign tax forms or other legal documents, we swear we are being truthful. We make an oath when we enter into a contract with someone. Because we belong to the God who is True, we are to honor Him, by doing what we promised. How do we live a life of integrity and faithfulness?”

Integrity (or the soundness of moral character) is a problem today. Think about what we read and have seen in our experience

• Church leaders involved in a sexual scandal
• Politicians who take bribes and commit indecent acts
• Employees who steal from their employers
• Students who cheat on exams
• Athletes who gain an edge through drugs
• Witnesses who lie on documents and in court
• People who claim to be Christians but can’t be trusted in business.
• Co-workers who never arrive to work on time (and often leave early).
• People who are prominent in a church but don’t live lives any different from the pagans around them.[1]

Integrity is a problem, and it is an especially significant problem for Christians. As representatives of Jesus Christ our inconsistency and lack of integrity destroys our testimony before a watching world. Integrity is measured by how we live by God’s standards. That is not the way everyone defines integrity (which is where we find our integrity crisis). To an increasing number of people in our society, their standard of truth is “whatever works for me” or “whatever makes me happy (in the moment).” For these people, they don’t see their actions (when they lie, cheat, or act immorally) as a lack of integrity. In their minds, they are entirely consistent with their value system. They are doing whatever will gain them the most significant advantage or pleasures.

Christians must operate from a different reference point. There is a standard of truth; there is a right and a wrong; that is the same for everyone. It does not change with the individual; it is set by God. We find that standard of truth in the Bible. The Bible says the person of integrity is one who lives consistently with God’s standards. They are people who DO what is right rather than merely TALK about it. Take stock of your life today. Honor God by being truthful. This is where integrity begins. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

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[1] Goschel, R. (2010). What Does Godly Integrity Looks Like. Wheaton, IL. P. 87.

What Counts?

What Counts?

There is a story I read recently. A surgeon in a large city hospital had a habit of insisting on a few minutes alone before he operated. He had an outstanding reputation as a surgeon, and one of the young doctors who often worked with him wondered if there might be a correlation between this habit and the man’s success.

He asked the surgeon about his habit, and the surgeon answered, “Yes, there is a relationship. Before each operation, I ask the Great Physician to be with me, to guide my hands in their work. There have been times when I did not know what to do next in surgery, and then came the power to go on, the power I knew came from God. I would not think of operating without asking His help.”

The surgeon’s words quickly spread through the hospital, and then across the country. One day a father brought his daughter to the hospital, insisting that the only doctor he would allow to touch her was the one who works with God.[1]

 The apostle Paul recognized this truth when he wrote: “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil”.  What motivates you to do your job? What energizes you to do your best? Take some time to cover your work in prayer. You will find that time well spent, as He helps you to achieve more. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

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[1] God’s Little Devotional Book for Leaders, p. 199. Tulsa, OK: Honor Books.

Facing Trials

James 1:2-11

We all face trials and tests of some kind. And we all meet different types of things in our walk through this life. Some will face relationship difficulties, other health issues, physical challenges, mental challenges, job problems, church problems. One thing that jumped out at me this week though was that we are to face these trials and face these tests. When a problem or trial or test comes into my life, we need to face it head-on. We should not turn my back on the issue and pretend that it doesn’t exist, that would not solve anything. When turn our backs to our problems, trials, and tests, will be unable to protect ourselves from the issues that might arise from them. If we ignore a disease, it will only get worse. If we ignore a relationship problem, it will just get worse. If we turn and run from our problems, we will never be able to handle anything that comes our way; we won’t get strong enough to handle more difficult issues. 

The story is told of a Scottish discus thrower from the 19th century. He lived in the days before professional trainers and developed his skills alone in the highlands. He made his discus from the description he read in a book. What he didn’t know was that the competition discus was made of wood with an outer rim of iron. His discus was made of pure metal, four times heavier than the ones used by his would-be challengers. This committed Scotsman trained day after day, laboring under the burden of extra weight. He marked the record distance and kept working until he could throw that far. Of course, when he arrived at the competition, he was handed the official wooden discus. He threw it like a tea saucer. He set new records, and for many years, none of his competitors could touch him. And that is what God is trying to do in us as we go through different and more difficult problems in life. He is trying to MATURE & COMPLETE US. It’s like a bodybuilder, who works to lift heavy weights. They don’t work with the heaviest weight they can raise to build muscle. They work with lighter weights, doing many reps, saving the heavyweights for only a few of their workouts. Muscle build gradually so that, in time, they can lift heavy weights. God develops perseverance in us the same way; by testing our faith little by little, in increasing increments and perhaps even frequency. Faith is trust in God, His Word, and His promises. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas