Integrity Part 1

Greetings, Brothers and sisters:

I pray your strength and hope in our God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ continues to grow. I hope you are continuing on your journey with all the faithful to the City of God: New Jerusalem.

I would like to share with you a revelation I received while studying the holy scriptures. It is about integrity; the state of being undivided in our adherence to the teachings and commandments of the Lord.

Let us start by examining the scriptures. James, the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, states in James 1:8 that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. This type of man is not entirely convinced in the things he professes to be about, nor what he asked the Lord for. His integrity is not whole. He doubts. He is unsure. He lacks conviction. And this state of instability infects all areas of his life. It affects his family life, finances, friendships, career, physical health and wellness. But, above all, this lack of integrity makes his faith in Christ unfinished and lacking in the strength needed to endure until he accomplishes his work or endeavors in the things of God. True integrity requires one to be undivided and stable in the path God has chosen for him to walk on.

Integrity then, begins with faith in God. Faith is the building block that brings us to wholeness or true integrity. Faith defined is the ability to hope in the unseen and to act on the evidence recorded in the holy scriptures (Heb. 11:1). To be able to do this one must have integrity. Because without a sincere or complete integrity which develops our faith in God, we can never please God, neither can we expect to receive his rewards for seeking him ( Heb. 11:6). For example, we are counseled by James to pray in faith without wavering (James 1:6). This is because the man that wavers fluctuates in his opinions and the direction he is trying to reach. Again, his integrity is not whole-he doubts. James further states that this man is like the waves of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. The person with this type of disposition, according to James, will not receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7). He that wavers is not perfect in his faith in God, nor does he believe God is able to do what he said he would do-Jesus said, “all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive (Matt. 21:22).” But this type of man lacks the conviction to believe that God is able to reward those that diligently seek him as stated in the word of God.

Our integrity, brothers and sisters, is strengthen and grows each time our faith is tested or challenged. This is especially true when we abide in the things we are taught of by the word of God without doubt or wavering in true integrity. The act of faithful prayer is just one opportunity we have to help us develop our integrity, that will influence our faith and all other areas of our lives.

May God bless you and keep you, till we meet again

Shalam,

Zarach