Integrity

Titus 2New International Version (NIV)

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 "You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."

  Integrity,  the act of living an holy life pleasing to God. Everyone has an excuse, or so they say. But do we really? Yes many of us have faced hardships and bad things have happened that leave scars on us inside and out. But will that stop us from being able to live a life of integrity? No.  Our actions are our own making. 

  Each day we choose how we are going to act or react to the things around us. Each day we are given the opportunity to better ourselves. I am not only talking financially. You need to start from the inside and then your actions will change and you can then have people look at you and consider you a good candidate for financial opportunities or other life changing decisions.

  Integrity in a person creates respect from others. They look at you and want what you have. Sometimes they will give you a hard time because they see where they lack and are jealous of you. Those are the ones you pray for and try to encourage. 

  No matter where you fall in the "social" class of the world, you can have pride and dignity of being the best person you can be under those circumstances. All of this social hierarchy will pass away when we meet God. All that will matter is whether or not you accepted salvation through Jesus and how you lived your life for God. Believing that Jesus died and rose again to pay your sin debt is the only way to heaven.See John 3:16. How you live your life for God, will be your rewards once you get there.

  Can you look in the mirror and see someone who is worthy of respect? We all have our shortcomings. Myself included. But we have opportunities each day to better ourselves. Just for today, choose to change some things for the better. Speak kindly and be respectful to others. Be busy doing good for another with no thought of gain for yourself. Find something to better your education even if it is just reading a book. Tomorrow do it again. And when you make a mistake, ask forgiveness  and try again. Don't forget to forgive yourself. As long as you are trying to live that life of integrity, you are making progress. Trust me, people are going to be watching you. You will become the role model they follow. Make it a good one.