by Patsy Grubb
Integrity: honesty
Honour : (on or upon one’s )
(a) acknowledging personal responsibility for one’s actions.
(b) pledging one’s reputation as to the truthfulness of a statement, etc.
(c) promising obedience or good behaviour.
As Christians, representatives of Christ Jesus, it is our responsibility to ensure we do not discredit or dishonour God by representing Him inaccurately within the context of our daily lives. I am not talking about being perfect people all of the time. I am referring to how we conduct ourselves in situations in which we witness behaviours and ethics, etc. contrary to our beliefs and Christ’s teachings. For example - How do we respond to injustice in our work place? Do we ignore it ? Do we get angry about it but not speak up ? Do we respond in the same spirit or simply mind our own business?
God requires that we make a stand for justice. This is imperative regardless of the cost. Even if we do not address injustice by verbally speaking out against it we must address injustice with our actions. We must be a living example of justice within our work place and broader community because that is both the battle ground and the harvest God has entrusted to us for this time. Regardless of what flows down from the top we must always conduct ourselves with integrity, and we must honour our word, promises, agreements, and commitments regardless of the consequences. We must weigh our words, measure them and only speak them if we can do as we say.
It is imperative that we honour the authority over us even when that authority is not Godly because they have been placed in that position by God and He will work within us what He desires through our honouring of that authority. Honouring authority does not mean however, adopting ethics, standards, etc if those standards etc are contrary to God. If we truly honour God we will adopt the standards, ethics, etc . that He has set for us.
Compromise is not an option when it comes to justice issues. Our behaviour must reflect our conviction. If we do not stand for righteousness in our everyday lives, how will we be counted as righteous in times of true persecution? If God alone sees our efforts to stand for what is good and right, is it not worth the battle?
