Two Faces of Integrity

"Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.'"
Job 2:3

Few have endured the hardships that Job did. God literally allowed Satan to take away everything from him: His wealth, his family, his health, his honor among men, and his status in the community. Job was among an elite group of Bible characters who were said to have impeccable integrity. God saw it in him and he allowed Satan to test him to the fullest extent. There is much for us to learn about integrity and the value God places on it. .
    When I read the Word about people who were full of integrity, there are always other traits that go along with it. Integrity cannot and will not stand on its own. It must be founded in something deeper. Job was a man who feared God first. His integrity was coupled with his respect and love for his Father. At that time, God said that there was no one else on earth like Job. this was not because he was a man of integrity. There were surely others who possessed it. But he was the only one who was upright and blameless in the sight of God. God knew him. He trusted him because he knew the heart within him.
    The worldly version of integrity means nothing to God. There are many business people, world leaders, and other people of note, who are esteemed because of their integrity. But integrity, by itself is self-righteousness. If not accompanied by a growing relationship with God, there is no eternal value. No one has ever been given eternal life based on the good things he did, or the honesty he possessed. True integrity is manifested through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. It is his grace that saves us, not our own integrity or righteousness.
    Christians are to be people who are full of integrity. Others should see this kind of character in our lives. When it is genuine and sincere, founded on our love for God, others will see and desire to know the God who is behind it. Integrity is far more than just being honest. It is living a life that pleases God. Integrity flows out of our desire to be like Jesus. The Pharisees of Jesus' time had integrity. Many of the leaders claimed to be blameless. But it was a self-righteous attitude from an empty heart. Let us never be like them. Let our integrity come from a heart that honors God and desires above all else, to be like Jesus. This is true integrity. This is the fear of the Lord.