What has happened to this concept called integrity?
When we think of integrity we think of men like Job. When everything looked bleak he continued to stand for God regardless of cost. He didn’t manipulate the facts. He didn’t bemoan his losses, he simply stood for God. What has become of this concept we call integrity?
It hasn’t been so many years when a man’s word meant something. Many of us can recall when a handshake was a good as any signed document. What has become of this concept we call integrity?
A few years ago I left a congregation where I had served as the preacher for many years. This had been a very pleasant work. We had grown significantly with very few problems. The last year I was there we had baptized a large number from the community who had no previous ties to the church. We were concerned about what would happen to them in the transition. Babes in Christ must continue to be fed. One of the men from the congregation stood in my office and told me he would see they were cared for. He went on to say, “You need to know it may seem like I am against you before it is over.” I thought this statement strange but I was glad to know someone would see that the work of the kingdom remained intact. This brother kept his word, the new converts and church remained intact. His method was simple, he did it by doing everything in his power to destroy my credibility. This certainly softened the transition and I appreciate the fact that the church didn’t lose those new Christians. On the flip side, in the process of attempting to destroy my credibility this brother destroyed a thirty year friendship I had enjoyed with a fellow preacher. We had been friends since our college days. I wouldn’t have given up that friendship at any cost short of eternity. I was beginning to realize what he meant when he said, “It may seem like I am against you.” For years I had taught that the end does not necessarily justify the means now I had faced its sting first hand. Time has now passed, feelings have settled, I have long since forgiven him, but the question still burns brighter than ever, “What has happened to this concept called integrity?”
In the years I have preached the gospel I have come across many stories similar to the one I just shared. Individuals who certainly meant well but were misguided in their approach. I have always understood that integrity meant standing for the standards the Lord placed before us regardless of the cost. What has happened to this concept called integrity?
In the body of Christ there is no room for politics. In no congregation is there a place for manipulation. In the church every effort must be made to be above board in all matters. The end does not justify the means if the means lack integrity. Perhaps one of the most important questions we can ask is, “What has happened to this concept called integrity?”
