Editorial July 13, 1935 Issue

Integrity

Duncan Sinclair

In all walks of life the man of integrity is respected. Those with whom he comes in contact can rely upon his word, can trust him to do the upright, honorable, just thing; hence the respect accorded him. And while integrity is thus generally held in high esteem, there is little doubt that it is expected more of those of religious convictions than of others: these are rightly regarded as being under the obligation to live up to what they profess. He who is assured of the understanding he possesses of spiritual truth, will not be disposed to take exception to the demands made upon him along this line.

An examination of the Gospels of the New Testament shows that the master Christian, Christ Jesus, lived a life of the highest integrity, and that he expected the same to characterize the lives of his followers. "No man can serve two masters," he said. And in his upholding of the Decalogue and his bestowing of the Beatitudes, with all their moral and spiritual purposefulness, he indicated his desire for uprightness in the highest degree in his followers. We stand in wonderment before the achievement of Jesus, his marvelous life of goodness, purity, compassion, love, and spiritual power. It remains in its stainlessness for all men to contemplate as the perfect example to be emulated.

The same desire that Christians should be upright, singleminded men and women of integrity, is evidenced in the writings of the apostles. In the first chapter of his epistle James writes, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." And in the third chapter of his first letter, John says, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." The words of both apostles ring with sincerity. What an appeal the one makes for uprightness of heart and wisdom of speech, and the other for love unfeigned, love which is genuine, and which translates itself into the unselfish deed! Nowhere in the New Testament is there to be found any condoning of cant or hypocrisy, but throughout is to be heard the fervent appeal for righteousness in its many-sidedness.

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July 13, 1935
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