Title: Integrity, The hallmark of the Christian life

Text: 1 Pet 2:11-21

Date: 3-12-06.am

Introduction: In the summer of 1805, a number of Indian chiefs and warriors met in council at Buffalo Creek, New York to hear a presentation of the gospel from the Boston Missionary Society. After the sermon, a chief Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs gave a response this is part of what he said:

“Brother, you say that there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agree, as you can all read the Book?

“. . . we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again of what you have said.”

What if people waited to see what effect Christianity had on us before they decided to accept it? How many people would accept Christ based on observing the difference our faith has made in our lives?

That’s exactly what Peter says is taking place. People, in our world of influence, like Chief Red Jacket, are watching us to see what kind of difference our faith makes in our lives. People who are not believers are living all around us, and Peter says, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe {them,} glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Pet 2:12(NAS) The word “observe,” not a passing glance but a concentrated effort.

People are making mental notes on us. People are watching us whether we like it or not, especially if we claim to be a believer. What do they watch? They watch to see if our behavior matches our belief, if our walk matches our talk, if our character matches our confession, if what we claim to believe on Sunday is put into practice on Monday. In a word, they watch to see if we have integrity. The hallmark of the Christian life is integrity. Isn’t that what Chief Red Jacket wanted to see in the white people: if they were good, honest, and not given to cheating?

I. The Meaning of Integrity

Integrity is a high standard of living based on a personal code of morality that doesn’t succumb to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority.

2 Cor 1:12

12     For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward (NAS)

Integrity is to personal character what health is to the body or 20/20 vision is to the eyes. Integrity comes from the word integer. A person of integrity is whole, their lives are put together. People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. As Solomon wrote, “The one who lives with integrity lives securely” (Prov. 10:9). Their lives are open books. They say to a watching world, “Go ahead and look. My behavior will match my beliefs. My walk will match my talk. My character will match my confession. Who I am on Sunday will be the same on Monday and every other day of the week.”

II. The Basis of Integrity

The Bible Heb 4:12; 2 Tim 3:16-17

II. The Model of Integrity

Without a doubt, Jesus is the supreme model of integrity. His life evidenced his purity and excellent character, that his enemies could only declare, “When they came, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don't show partiality [a] but teach truthfully the way of God” (Mark 12:14). The New International Version translates it, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity.” Even at the conclusion of his life here on earth as he stood before Pilate in the mockery of a trial, the ruler said, “"I find no grounds for charging this man” (Luke 23:4). There was no

basis for guilt, no evidence of fault, found in Jesus. In other words, his behavior matched his belief, his walk matched his talk, his character matched his confession. It is for these reasons that Peter instructed all believers: “For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you,

leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Peter gives us the example, the model of integrity that we should follow. If the world is watching us, then we should be watching Christ. We should follow his example. We should do as he has done.

The same challenge is presented today. Will we walk in Jesus’ steps?

Will we follow his model? Will we make a pledge that before any major decision to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Will we live a life of integrity?

III. The Manifestations of Integrity

But how is integrity practiced on a daily basis? Where do people watch us most closely? Peter answers that question. He identifies several arenas where integrity is put to the test with the watching world observing our reaction. He also provides some practical solutions to take in those arenas so that our integrity will stay in tact.

A. In tempting circumstances, stay away.

“Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you” (1 Peter 2:11). To abstain means not to get involved with or to keep away from. Remember Joseph in his encounter with Potopher’s wife.

In tempting situations, we are to flee. To run. Get away. That means

avoiding situations were you easily fall to temptation.

B. In authoritative situations, show respect.

 “Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. . . . Honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17).

Peter instructs us to respect the government and the ones who enforces the laws for the government. We are to submit, or to yield. He says that we are to yield to authority. Yielding to authority is a mark of a believer. Yielding, like coming to a Yield sign when driving a car, means letting the other guy have his way first. Submission or yielding is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of self-control. It is saying I don’t have to have my way all the time. It’ like the guy who became a Christian and said, “Pastor, every part of me got saved except my right foot.” “Your right foot? What do you mean?” “I mean that the hardest part of me to submit is my lead foot when I’m driving my car. But now it is submitted, too.”

Integrity says I may not like the law, but I will obey it. Integrity says I may not like the person in the office, but I will honor the position. Integrity says I may not like direction the nation is going, but I will pray for God’s intervention. Integrity says I will obey God first, even if it means that I suffer the penalty for doing the right thing.

         C. In the work environment, stand for what is right. “Household slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel” (1 Peter 2:18). Slavery was prevalent in the Roman Empire. Some 60 million people were slaves. They were not considered persons, but rather property of their owners. While we don’t have this form of slavery in our country today, this verse still is applicable. Allow

me to change two words. “Employees, submit yourselves to your employers with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” As believers in Christ, our integrity goes to work with us. It manifests itself in the way we treat our boss, our clients, and fellow employees. It, also, manifests itself in the way we respond to the company’s procedures and policies, to difficult and sometimes unjust assignments, and the work place, itself. It further manifests itself in our attitude and convictions and honesty we display at our place of work. Remember, those people are watching. Integrity demands that we stand for what is the right and the

upright thing to do at all times.

D. In suffering events, seek God.

“For it [brings] favor if, because of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly” (1 Peter 2:19). The greatest test of integrity is how we respond to suffering. Nothing reveals one’s character quicker than problems and pain. That’s one of the reasons why God allows it. When we go through suffering it really reveals what we’re like. It has been said, “Christians are like tea bags, one doesn’t know what they’re like inside until they are in hot water.” As long as we live on this planet, we will experience suffering. We will have problems. We will have pain. The question is: how do we deal with it? People are watching to see just how we react to the misfortunes and sufferings of this world. Helen Keller was right,

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” She also said that it was because of her blindness that she was able to see God.

During suffering seek God. ‘Don’t ask, “Why is this happening to

me?” Instead, ask, “What are you trying to teach me?” Be conscious

of God.

Conclusion: Here are the facts: Our integrity is put to the test

everyday, in virtually every situation. We are being watched closely

to see how we will respond. The choice of our walk matching our

talk, our behavior matching our beliefs, our character matching our

confession is left to us. What will we do?