Integrity

In John 7:16-19 Jesus speaks in ways that are universally applicable even though we must interpret His words according to the present context. In verse 17 He says, "If any man..." This is literally "if any" without gender or specificity as regards race, geography, age, or period of time. This has universal application to all who desire to do God's will from Jesus' time to now and into the future. In verse 18 we see "He who speaks..." This is literally "the one." This too has universal application. Any person who speaks "from himself," seeking his own glory is considered here. Why is this important? Too often we dismiss the teachings of Jesus as if they apply to someone else, a long, long time ago in a faraway place. It is easy to think of something said 2000 years ago as lacking relevance to me today in my life. If this were true then how would we ever be taught by Jesus and learn from Him? But there is another reason, and that is contrast. Jesus is constantly contrasting Himself with us (not just those to whom he spoke long ago). But, this contrast also inspires us to become like Him, and to leave our place to join Him.

Jesus proclaims Himself to be 1) True and 2) Without Unrighteousness. Of Jesus this is true in the ultimate sense. He is the gold standard of truth and righteousness. These two trait could serve as a fit definition of integrity. The Jewish leaders were sneaky, deceitful frauds. They were fake. They were not what they seemed. They were wolves in sheep's clothing. They were plotting and scheming and whispering. Though cloaked in righteousness it was only surface righteousness. It was not real. It had an appearance of it but only thinly covered their moral nakedness. Jesus was true to the core. He was righteous through and through. You could take soil samples all day and every one would reveal the same thing. Jesus' words about Himself reminds me of His words to Nathaniel in John 1:47 who He called "a true Israelite in whom there is no guile(nothing false)." Jesus saw in this disciple the trait of integrity, one who was not seeking his own glory but the glory of another. Integrity demands we know who we are serving and why. We must never think IT is about ME. This is a critical impediment to kingdom living. It calls attention to ME and takes the attention off of HIM. We must not be communicating to the world the message of "Look at Me." Whatever Nathaniel did under the tree, it was not done to be seen by men, and he was surprised that Jesus saw him.

Integrity is not about making God look good. God is good, and we can do nothing to make Him look good or look better. We are merely to conduct ourselves in a way that God's true goodness and righteousness will be unobstructed. The veil must be lifted so the glory of God can shine from our faces into the lives of the people around us. The brightness of His glory hides our faces and allows only His glory to be seen. Instead of being hidden by a cloak of deceit, we are hidden behind the brightness of His glory. We cannot obtain integrity in our lives until we both shun all and any glory being given to us and all glory being given to Him. Jesus would not allow others to hide behind their false motives. He exposed them knowing that this is the first step to becoming true and righteous.