Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/73

Contributor - Louis R. Harvey

Title - Integrity

Topic - Character

"till I die I will not put away my integrity from me" - Job 27 : 5b

Sometime ago I read that a top General in the Air Force told the Cadets at the Air Force Academy, . . . "the professional officer must be a man of many qualities, but possessing one basic quality mandatory of any officer in the military services."

"This is unqualified integrity." "Integrity when once compromised is gone forever and is not replaceable. It is the true mark of a professional officer. A lack of basic integrity is completely unacceptable in the military services."

What was the General really talking about - and Job, too when they used the word "integrity"? Integrity means honesty, -truthfulness, -moral soundness, -even faithfulness to one's vows and promises. Integrity can, be, and must be, dependability upon a person's word.

"Integrity!" if it is to be the basic quality of an officer in the Military, how much more it then must be the very basic quality of the child of God, the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ

How the Word of God stresses this point! Honesty, faithfulness, the keeping of the word you have spoken. The keeping of the vows you have made. Even for Job in the miserableness of his situation. His physical, mental, and even his spiritual needs being very great, still saw the one essential factor as so important when he said, "I will not let go". He was beat down by such great physical and spiritual needs. Beat down into depression even by his so-called friends who thought they were helping him, but only making matters worse. Job in his desperate needs still held on to his integrity! His answer in his defense of his faith and his trust in God,

". . . till I die I will not put away my integrity from me."

Even facing death he would continue to be honest in all his words and actions. He would continue to be faithful to all his responsibilities. He would be dependable in all situations, first to His God, but also to the people around him. He would not let go, tho' every thing else is gone. He would not give up his honesty, his promises, his word - his integrity!

Now the issue comes to you and me. "Integrity!" In the coming summer months especially, is it going to be a "Watergate" situation with some of us, too? Anything that will achieve my ends and my desires is right for me to do. A very real question and situation for all of us. In these coming summer months what will happen to your integrity concerning the Lord's Day? What: will happen to your observance of it? What will happen to, your integrity concerning faithfulness to the worship services, both morning and evening in the Church? What will happen to your integrity with your Lord while you are on Holidays?

The Christian's testimony must always be one of integrity. Jesus once said......... you have been faithful in little, I will set you over much, enter into the joy of your master." The world around us is really putting the Christian to the test. Your testimony, for your love of God, for your gratitude of His grace and keeping, will really be showing in the months to come. May you and I be like Job who said,

"....till I die I will not put away my integrity from me."

May we truly live like Joshua who said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". And all summer, too.

Integrity - Integrity - Integrity.

A Christian in all things. But especially a Christian in small things!

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