“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Tim 4:15-16
Most of us can name certain people who come to mind when the question is posed, ‘Who has had a powerful and positive influence on your life?’ No matter what age we most likely can point to someone from whom we seek counsel and respect. This was the case for young Timothy as he was building a ministry to share God’s message. This passage was part of a letter from Paul who was his mentor, teacher and dear friend. Part of Paul’s spiritual success was a result of living out this advice to the young adult. Paul blocked out the noise of the world and drilled down on the essentials for being impactful in God’s kingdom. He began with the importance of being diligent which is one of the 7 heavenly virtues. Diligent behavior is a belief that work is good in itself. He urges the young man to give himself wholly to those whom he is sharing the gospel. He is not to follow some of the commands but all of them in whole. He then encourages Timothy to be watchful of his life examining his actions so they may closely match his doctrine. He then ends with the beautiful promise that if Timothy perseveres his life will be blessed and so will those around him. This passage paints a beautiful picture of living a life of both spiritual and secular integrity.
What does a life of integrity look like? That life looks like who we are in public is the same as who we are when nobody is looking. It means that we don’t choose certain truths but embrace all of God’s principals. A life of integrity means we look to Christ and how He lived on earth…choices He made… His behavior as it aligned with God’s word. This doesn’t have to be difficult and all of us have a starting point. Our beginning choices can be to refrain from continuing the gossip…choose to not tell that little white lie that helps us benefit…ignore the world’s message that you are entitled to live selfishly. ‘Billy Graham has been listed frequently among the top ten most admired men in the world. Graham’s scandal-free life and career are examples of Christian integrity. It has been said he is a ‘man without shadows.’ His personal character and spiritual leadership reflect integrity and bible faithfulness.’ Life Lessons from Women in the Bible, Rhonda Harrington Kelley, p. 77.
May we all seek to discover the beautiful blessings from living a life of spiritual integrity grounded in God’s unchanging truths. Everything that flows into our lives will be God’s best in transforming our hearts and renewing our minds.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
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