Colossians 3:22-4:1 "Integrity"

Read Colossians 3:22-4:1.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, a working for the Lord, not for men." NIV

Fortunately, most of us are not slaves to any other master than Jesus Christ. Some days we may feel like it though. I believe in many ways this passage can apply to employee/employer just as easily because the bottom line is integrity.

The definition of "integrity" according to my trusty Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary is 1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility 2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

synonyms see honesty

Incorruptibility, soundness, completeness, and honesty. God calls us in our work places or when we are placed under another's authority to live out these qualities. They are a choice. They make us a harder-working trusted employee and employer. With these qualities, you can meet expectations without compromise. You reach above the bar and come out on top - if not in performance, at least in effort and attitude. You work harder and smarter than anybody else. You are honest. The thought of lying and cheating never enter your thoughts or actions. You are completely loyal -- to your boss and to the company.

And if you can't be those things - you need to change jobs.

Further Thoughts:

1. David was a man of integrity. How? What made him so?
2. Do you struggle with integrity? If yes, why? What needs to change?
3. Do you work with people who lack integrity? If yes, how can your life be an influence on theirs?

Joseph: Genesis 42:1-38 "Perspectives"

Read Genesis 42:1-38.

"So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground." NIV

This passage presents some very interesting sociological aspects. We have three groups at work here -- Joseph, the brothers, and Jacob. Each with their own perspective and response to the situation and to the others involved.

The Brothers: I find it very interesting that the brothers immediately take the governor's accusations of them being spies and the harsh treatment they received as punishment by God because of how they treated Joseph. They see this as their judgment day. You have to remember that this is taking place 20 years after Joseph was sold into slavery. But that action is the sin they associate with an accounting and thus are eager to comply.

Jacob: Jacob, on the other hand, blames the brothers for everything. He has not led the most exemplary life, yet does not set any blame on himself, but on his sons. Where is personal responsibility? To add to it, Jacob shows more concern for Benjamin than the other sons whose lives are in jeopardy.

Joseph: What are Joseph's motives here? Revenge? Settling the score? Or a true test of his brothers' character? I think some anger was probably involved. That's probably one of the reasons Joseph left them in the prison for three days -- time for him to cool off. He is softer on them after the three days. Initially he said that all of them would stay in prison and one go back for Benjamin. Then he changes to one stay and all the others go back with the grain needed for their families and all their silver.

There is a fourth person of note here -- Reuben. In Joseph's presence Reuben basically says to his brothers, "I told you so." But then includes himself in the punishment that must be received. He says, "Now we must give an accounting for his blood." Even though Reuben had told them not to hurt Joseph and had not even been there when they sold him, Reuben takes equal responsibility for the crime and thus know he will receive equal punishment.

Reuben is also the one to entrust his own two sons' lives in Jacob's hands if he is unsuccessful in bringing Benjamin safely home. He demonstrates a like character with Joseph by his actions -- a man of responsibility and integrity.

Further Thoughts:

1. Where do our motivations come from? How do we prepare ourselves to make right decisions in tough situations? Support with Scripture.
2. Do you have trouble taking personal responsibility for bad situations? Why? What makes people place blame on everyone else but themselves?
3. Define integrity.
4. Define humility.
5. Define imperfection.

Joseph: Genesis 39:20-23 "Integrity in Trials"

Read Genesis 39:20-23.

"... the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." NIV

So here is where I meant yesterday that God is still taking care of Joseph no matter what physical circumstances he is facing. Let's recap -- sold into slavery by his brothers, respected by owner and given authority in the household, falsely accused of seducing owner's wife, thrown into prison, now has respect and responsibility given to him by the prison warden. 

So what kind of person comes out of one situation into a worse situation into an even worse situation and still God is able to use him and work through him? Joseph had been the honored son and thus suffered horrible abuse from his brothers. He is sold into slavery, but has the fortitude to rise above his situation to make a name of respect for himself. God trusts Joseph and blesses him with prosperity even as a slave. Joseph is a just and upright man and still gets thrown into prison. But even in the midst of the horrendous injustice of his punishment, he is a man God wants to bless. I would imagine if Joseph changed to a bitter soul bemoaning the injustices of his life, God couldn't have used and blessed him. So what makes Joseph different? Integrity.

Joseph had long ago chosen to follow the God of his fathers and wasn't about to let circumstances change that. And not just any circumstances -- these are horrible life situations that Joseph did not earn or deserve. Evil was done to him, consequences had to be suffered, but Joseph remained true to who he was through it all. Amazing.

We start moaning and grumbling if we have a bad day. The car breaks down, the boss yells, the kids are screaming, a project goes south and we fall apart. We get stuck in the mindset of if I work hard, then God will bless me. But that isn't how God works. He looks for the heart. In Joseph's life, the blessing didn't come in the way we would normally expect it. Slavery and prison aren't our first choices of blessing. But God's ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts greater than ours. Joseph maintained his integrity under extreme circumstances, God blessed his work, and at the same time was refining Joseph's character. Never underestimate how God can use tough circumstances in our life to mold us into the person He needs us to be. How we go through those tough times is what really shows our level of devotion to and trust in Him.

Lord, blind my eyes to the circumstances and help me just to see You and the opportunities You have for me.

Further Thoughts:

1. Who else in Scripture stood firm on their commitment rather than their circumstance?
   
2. Are your circumstances blinding you right now to the possibility of God's blessings? What do you need to do about it?
   
3. Psalm 23 could easily have been written by Joseph. Read through it and look for the integrity needed to remain faithful to the Lord in difficult situations.

Joseph: Genesis 39:1- 20 "Staying True"

Read Genesis 39:1-20.

"The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered...." NIV

I have skipped over chapter 38 because it was a story that didn't include Joseph. We find Joseph now in Egypt living as a slave to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard. There are two aspects of Joseph's time here in this house that stand out: purity and prosperity.

Purity: Joseph was noticed by Potiphar's wife and she wanted him. But Joseph stood his ground and remained committed to God's laws rather than human desires. He calls sleeping with her "a wicked thing" and "a sin against God." I'm sure Joseph had needs and desires like any young man, but he had integrity that was greater. He was able to see the big consequences over the small pleasures. Wow, how many less problems would we have in our life if we could stay committed to a principle that the Lord has put in place for our protection and good? See the big consequences over the small pleasures.

Prosperity: Joseph had his position in Potiphar's house only because Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered in everything he did. Potiphar was no idiot. This may be his slave, but if he has hands of gold, let him control everything Potiphar owns and make it multiply. 

Unfortunately, the enemy will throw people into our pathway that will try to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. They will lie, cheat, and steal to hinder our progress. And sometimes, in particular situations, they will succeed. Does that mean that we are no longer in the middle of God's plan? Not in Joseph's situation. Joseph had helped his slave owner become a wealthier man and had been falsely accused of seducing Potiphar's wife. But God had something more planned for Joseph even though as we see tomorrow the path to getting there seems rather grim.

Further Thoughts:

1. What is integrity? 
   
2. What does Scripture say about sexual purity?
   
3. Does your path right now seem to be a strange way to receive God's blessing? If you are following His calling and direction, then be patient, He's not done with you yet. God's big picture view clarifies the reasons beyond what we can see while stuck in the details.
   

Matthew 5:33-37 "I Give You My Word"

Read Matthew 5:33-37.

While this is in direct reference to the third commandment and is obviously important, it is an area I don't really struggle with to the best of my knowledge. As I read the commentaries and study notes for the exact meaning of this passage, I see several areas referenced.

• When you need to swear an oath of importance, i.e. on a witness stand, tell the truth and do not do it lightly.
• Do not swear by God's name and then tell lies. It is of gravest importance when using the name of God.
• In most cases in your life, you should not need to swear by anything. Your integrity should be that if you say yes, you mean yes. And if you say no, you mean no. No suspicion of falsehood should ever be associated with your word.

This is a tough one in our society -- to believe people's word. Lying has become a norm and tainted the thought of integrity in all men and women. I just hate that. I want to believe people, but do I seriously have to ask someone, "Do you swear?" to trust their word? Can't we all just agree to speak the truth at all times and eliminate the doubt? I especially want to put this question to our politicians. I think I'm going to start a truth-telling crusade. Will you join me?

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up the third commandment and read study notes on it.
2. Lying must be a long term disease. Look in a concordance at the number of verses that have the word "truth" in them. Jesus repeatedly said, "I tell you the truth...."
3. Who is the Spirit of Truth and how should he affect our lives?
4. Compare and contrast integrity and lying. How does one affect the other?
5. Is your word true? Can you be trusted at all times to speak truth without having to swear to its veracity? If not, how can you expect others to tell you the truth? What about your children; do they see you modeling truth?