May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You. Psalm 25:21

Truly upright people are hard to come by these days. We'd like to think that people of integrity would return a lost wallet, stand up for someone being harassed, be honest in situations where others would cheat. But we all know it is the exception rather than the rule that these would be true.

As Christians, we are quick to assert that simply by walking in the footsteps of Jesus...we can display an integrity that is unknowable in our own strength. Surely with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be upright. Why, then, do we still stumble and fall? Why do we still find ourselves tumbling into situations we later regret? Our failures keep chasing after us. The picture of integrity still seems to elude us.

This is so because true integrity and uprightness are embodied in only one person: Jesus Christ. That is why King David declared in the above verse in Psalm 21, that his hope is in the Lord. If hope had to be placed in our own ability to live respectably, we would have no hope at all. The imparted righteousness of Jesus upon His children is our preserving strength.

Insight: Integrity is not an exterior shell or role to show off to others, but rather a character trait of the heart that's a pleasure to share to a wandering and lost world. Our true integrity is in Christ!

Reader's Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to exhibit a true integrity to everyone around me...that is found only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

That sure is the truth!
Good reading Bob.

It's getting Difficult to find people with this important quality these days. Thanks for the message Bob.