Student Devotion Week 9: Integrity: The Key to Our Witness

Key Verse: 1 Peter 1:15, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do."

Mahatma Gandhi was an influential Hindu leader in the early twentieth century whose life and teachings are still followed by many today. He often referred to Jesus with terms of praise, prompting someone to ask Gandhi if he wanted to become a Christian. In reply, he said, "I like your Christ: I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." His sentiment is shared by many. How many people have been driven away from church because some Christians talk like believers but never live out the faith they preach?

The reality is that if we don't live what we say, then we lose our credibility in telling others about Jesus. When Christians lack integrity, everyone loses. What's integrity? Having integrity means being honest. It means saying what you mean and meaning what you say. And it's more important than you know. In the early stages of the Church, God went so far as to kill one couple who purposefully lied to their church. What happened to them was pretty drastic. But their lack of integrity threatened the Church.

As Christians we have to be diligent about making sure our lives reflect our beliefs. And since we're a part of a larger body, we have to help each other live out our beliefs as well. Even if we live correctly, when other believers are hypocrites, it hurts our witness. So this week we're going to talk about the integrity of not just our lives, but of the Church as well. Whether you like it or not, we're all in this together.