Integrity of Heart
Fear fractures our integrity, Jesus paid the price to make us whole.
“Abraham traveled from there…Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a man’s wife.” God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her…Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.” Abraham prayed to God.” Genesis 20:1-3, 6, 14-15, 17
Look at what Abraham does when he is afraid. He gives his wife away to another man because he is afraid of what others will do to him. God steps in and saves the day. In doing so, God reveals what he cares about from each of us. He says to the king, I know the integrity of your heart. How much do you think of your integrity or the wholeness of your heart? Life experiences have a way of teaching us fears that cause fractures. God desires that each of us walk in wholeness.
“May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high, May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.”
Psalms 20:1, 4, 7
Where do I place my trust? It is easy to say that I trust in the Lord, but do my actions, calendar, and checkbook confirm the integrity of my trust in the Lord? Trust is a daily choice in the midst of the difficulty to not allow the pressures or problems we face to create fissures in our heart.
“A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him. Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”? The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.”
Proverbs 20:7, 9, 27
What does it mean to you to walk in integrity? Solomon does not say that most of the time walks in integrity, or when it is convenient he or she walks in integrity. The standard God sets is always to walk in integrity. The text also says we all fall short, but as Jesus followers we know that we are made whole by the blood of Christ.
Wisdom tells us that we have influence. Others notice and that our children or those around us will follow our example. Think of someone in your life who has positively influenced you? How can you model that integrity to others?
“Yahweh said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia, so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.”
Isaiah 20:3-4
Why do we feel ashamed when we are naked and barefoot? In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked with integrity with the Lord. Where have I allowed shame to cause me to feel less than, unworthy, or broken? Ask the Lord Jesus to reveal where you most need healing.
““For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. “When evening had come, the Lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’ “When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius...“Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” They told him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him.”
Matthew 20:1-2, 8-9, 16, 31-34
How does our performance play a role in following Jesus? Jesus challenges the listener to understand that the wages that the Father pays is the same for all people. In a culture that was so divided socio-economically, how would that have been received? Jesus teaches those who would follow Him that the workers are part of a story about a gracious Father more than deserving servants. What qualification does a worker have? They choose to show up and work. They tend to the vineyard and do what they are told to do.
It is hard in our world to break away from the performance or power mindset that is so prevalent. What we do and how we live does matter, but what matters more is that our actions are a response to undeserved, unearned loving kindness that flows from the God of compassion. Lord Jesus, open our eyes that we might see how to live out of a deep sense of integrity as you lead us into our work in your vineyard.