“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs,… Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Acts 2:22-23
Integrity is a decision made ahead of time. It is putting yourself into a situation, weighing the outcomes, and making up your mind to go the right way. Integrity is guessing, or making a haphazard choice blindly, rather it is planning to be prepared in any situation. How we lack integrity in so many areas of life!
Joseph showed great character of integrity when he resisted Potiphar’s wife.He could have caved for so many reasons, some of which you are considering right now. Joseph thought too highly of his person, of his master and family, and of God to cross that line. He said, “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Joseph’s relationship with God was the reason he made up his mind to do right, and his fear of God and reliance on God supported him through this part, and through the rest of his life.
David defines integrity as one standing before the Lord having this testimony: “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” (Psalm 15:4b) R.G. LeTourneau was the contractor for the Boulder Highway in Nevada leading to Hoover Dam. He is generally remembered as an example of success and ingenuity. What many don’t know is that he lost his shirt in many of his most notable contracts. He could have backed out of them and quit, but integrity kept him on the job.
Consider the integrity of God. He knew exactly the suffering and agony Christ would face, yet he continued, even insisted that the predetermined counsel of God should be fulfilled. He “set his face like a flint” and Paul exhorts, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:3)
That is real integrity. My Saviour was made of the sterner stuff. He was unfllinching in his dedication to the will of His Heavenly Father. He made up his mind to redeem you from the powers of hell, and not even the devil himself could dissuade Him. May you and I have the same character, that when our mettle is tested, we could prevail with integrity.
Spiritual Reload 