People of integrity

Genesis 1:26 (ESV)

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Tiger Woods might be the most famous golfer today. He stands out because he was a gifted winner of competitions for many years. But Tiger Woods’s life fell apart because of various indiscretions. His success in public did not match his failures at home.

As image bearers of God, we are designed to be people of integrity and character. A person of integrity is one who does right in all areas of life, one who can be trusted. If people compromise in one area, they cannot be trusted in others.

As we look at God’s image and see his character, we find that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. In Malachi 3:6 the Lord says, “I . . . do not change.” He is completely stable and trustworthy. We can trust God because he is faithful and true to his character. As a result of his integrity, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

God expects us, his image bearers, to be people of integrity. James speaks of people who are double-minded and unstable in all they do. He says they are “like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” If we lack character in one area of our life, it will affect the other areas of our life. But by Christ’s Spirit, we can find the strength to live as God desires us to live.

Dear Lord, thank You for making us in Your image. Help us to live in a way that always reflects Your character and honors You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.