Integrity: Part 5 - Belief and Hope

Last time we discussed integrity, trust was a verb, this time we discuss it as a noun. We will refer to the noun aspect of trust as belief. Beliefs are what you know to be true intrinsically or by experience. How many times have you ordered a pizza from a national chain? You are able to get the same pizza in Dallas, Des Moines, Denver, Dover and Daytona because the chain has established a set of instructions for the way their pizzas are made. You always get the same amount of cheese, sauce and toppings. Your confidence (what you know; the noun-aspect of trust) is based on the integrity of the company (the verb-aspect of trust; the way they act).

We began with a discussion of how knowledge directs character which dictates action. Does action now precede character? No. If all you did was correct your actions, you would still not be a man of integrity. However, knowing what the actions of a man of integrity are to be, you will now discover the kind of life that will motivate such actions.

The Bible describes a man of trust as one who faithfully follows commands or fulfills their responsibilities. Such a one can be easily relied upon for greater tasks. This type of man is also described as one who has a firm belief in God and His Son as the only Savior of mankind. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14 – 30), the faithful servants shouldered their responsibilities and executed their expected duties with very little accountability. Faithfulness, 1 Corinthians 4:2 tells us, is required in stewards – not an optional quality. Paul continues to instruct the Corinthian believers (1 Corinthians 10:13) by reminding them that in times of trial God demonstrates His faithfulness to us. In fact, God’s faithfulness is demonstrated (1 John 1:9) in terms of His forgiveness.

Last time, the confidence-inspiring activities of the man of integrity was discussed. The Bible uses words like ‘confidence’, ‘hope’, and ‘trust’ to define this individual’s character. This confidence is not produced by gold (Job 31:24) or national armament (Isaiah 36:4). Instead Genesis 1:10 uses a word translated elsewhere as “hope” to describe the gathering together of waters. Hope is a rallying point for those without hope. God Himself is the rallying point in Jeremiah 50:7. Earlier in his prophecy, Jeremiah (29:11) discusses the assured end [hope in some translations] and plan that God has for His people.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a crucial text as you consider this aspect of integrity. God has plans to bring you to ‘an expected end’. You can have confidence in His plan being accomplished in your life. At the same time, God is expecting you to live in a way that demonstrates the same type of expectancy to others. Are you proving yourself to be as reliable to others as God is to you? He calls you to mirror Him. Check your reflection and adjust yourself as needed.