In this blog series, we are working through the word UNITY. In the last two posts, we covered the first two letters of this word, Uplift and Need. This week, I will be discussing Integrity. The definition of Integrity is “a firm adherence to a code of moral values. The quality or state of being complete or undivided.”

My mom used to tell me a story about her grandfather. He was from Eastern Europe, and would say in broken English to her and her sisters, “It takes a lifetime to build up you reputation, but (snapping his fingers) can go just like that.” My mom used this story for most of my life, especially in my high school and college years, as I was going out on my own and starting to make important decisions and actions that would shape who I am as an adult. I am still making important decisions and taking important actions, and these words still ring very clear. Whether leading as partner in my former firm, raising our kids, hanging out with neighbors, working on the other side of the world on a project, or ministering to others at PHBC, I have always been concerned about my integrity because I knew it shouted about my testimony and walk with Christ to others. Talk about the ripple effect of a person’s words! I never even met my great-grandfather, and his words impact my life.

    

Pastor Steve Andrews offers this perspective from John 17:22: “‘Jesus says, I have given them glory’. Glory calls attention to the holiness and the purity of God. Jesus represented the glory and holiness of God, and we have received the call to represent that same type of integrity or holiness.”

    

1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” It seems from the Scriptures that unity grows and even flourishes when we are living holy and pure lives. However, in our fallen world this can be a very difficult pursuit and requires others around us to hold us accountable and encourage us and yes, even uplift us.

    

Remember what Proverbs 28:6 says: “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” We need to ask ourselves in working to live a life of integrity, what are we pursuing, why, and how? Does your integrity shout about your testimony and walk with Christ to people who don’t know Him as Savior? Does it shout good things or bad things about who you are to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?