CULTIVATING INTEGRITY AND AUTHENTICITY
Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
Galatians 3:24-25 (NLT)
I have had to enforce a strict, rotating, assigned-seating policy with my kids as I drive them to school. All three of them covet the seat next to the door that opens for drop-off. So far, the lesson, regard one another as more important than yourselves (Philippians 2:3 NASB) hasn’t stuck. As annoying as the assigned seating is for them, it prevents bodily harm as they try to secure the best seat. As a father of small children, I sometimes marvel at their unbridled selfishness, but if the truth is told, this is just the nature of humanity. As adults, we get more sophisticated in our selfishness, but our nature is essentially intact. The rules keep us in line.
When Jesus came, He opened a new option of participating in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4 ESV). Yes, you read that correctly. When we received the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our salvation (2 Timothy 1:14, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 2 Corinthians 5:5), we were freed to do what pleases God and not just ourselves. That’s a wonderful promise! Before Jesus, we were ruled by our selfish desires; however nicely we dressed them up (Romans 8:9, Galatians 5:18). Now, we can live by the Spirit with integrity and authenticity. In other words, we’re the same in our private lives as in our public lives, but if we’re honest, this is a work in progress.
How do we cultivate integrity and authenticity? It's clearly not about becoming rule-followers (2 Corinthians 3:7-9, Galatians 3:10). We need resurrection. A new Spirit who causes us to desire the things that please God. Rather than asking what we can get away with, ask, What do you desire, God? Jesus said, your heavenly Father give[s] the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13) As we experience the dual nature of flesh and Spirit (Galatians 5:17), we begin to attune ourselves to God’s voice and recognize when what we’re doing is just selfishness in fancy clothes.
APPLICATION: We all have hidden motivations based on our experiences and temperament. We’re naturally bent toward self. Ask yourself today, why am I doing what I am doing right now? Am I being motivated by love or self-interest? Be honest with yourself. We are prone to self-deception.
PRAYER: Lord, help me recognize when my secret motivations are selfish. Guide and empower me to live by what is right, pure, loving and holy. Thank You for not leaving me to fend for myself but for giving me Your Spirit to guide me and give me strength beyond myself. Please help me to take a stand of faith in You today.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?