INTEGRITY
1 Peter 3:8–17
School is back in session, and with it are all the prospects of learning and academic success. The older I became, the more I appreciated my times of studying.
I was always most interested in the classes that involved literature or history. Math and science were not my strongest areas.
I have been asked what class in college or graduate school I prayed through the most. The answer is easy: college algebra! Securing a B in that class ranks high on my list of prayers answered.
With all this math talk, you may be wondering what that has to do with our lesson this week.
The word “integrity” is a mathematical term. It is derived from the term “integral.” It means to be complete or whole. A person may exhibit many positive traits, but if they lack integrity, they are not a complete or whole person. Integrity is desperately needed in our world today, and it is equally needed in our church pews.
A life of integrity pursues goodness and righteousness. (8–12)
You will find in life that what you go after, dwell on and feed on will be what you get. If I seek the Lord daily, I will become godlier. If I pursue the world and its pleasures, I will constantly be unfulfilled and in opposition to God.
A person who seeks a life of integrity has a big-picture view of life. They aren’t in it for the quick fix of happiness. Instead, they are committed to a lifetime of seeking the holiness of God. They seek peace, hate evil and desire to be a blessing to others.
A life of integrity is centered in the lordship of Christ. (13–15)
When God is at the center of my thoughts, actions and faith, I will discover hope and security.
As I mature in my faith, the fears of this world begin to lessen in my life. That does not mean there are not unsettling events occurring in our world.
But for believers surrendered to the lordship of Christ, they know that God is in control, and much of what we face serves only as distractions from what matters most. Faith and fear make terrible roommates, and we each have to choose which one we will devote most of our attention to.
A life of integrity maintains conduct that withstands any scrutiny or criticism. (16–17)
This section of Scripture tells you how to know when you are excelling in the Christian faith. The closer you grow in the likeness of Christ, pursue holiness and become a person of integrity, the more you will be criticized, hated and judged. You will suffer for doing what is right and be persecuted for living out the truths of God’s Word. This is when integrity is the most tested.
Will you buckle and hurt your witness, or will you stand firm and remain bold for Jesus? The only way to avoid criticism is to be nothing, say nothing, think nothing and do nothing. But that is not what God designed you to do. He has made us to be people of integrity.
While not always easy, it is possible with God’s help. I can assure you that if He can help me through college algebra, He can help you be a person of integrity today.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
