Can we have integrity apart from Christ?

It's not about being perfect - no one is. But it's being consistent about who we are no matter where we are.

Now, if we just stop right there, many people may claim they have integrity even those who are consistently bad. So here is how Merriam-Webster define "Integrity":

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

This is how this society defines integrity. It's not from the Bible. It's not "Christian". It's from the dictionary.

For this post, we are trying to determine the moral side of integrity. So we will take definition #1.

So let's get a show of hands - who has the "especially" moral values down? Not many of you raised your hands. But some of you did. It's so relative, isn't it? My moral values are probably not yours. Yours may not be mine. His may be better than mine. Hers may be lower than someone else's. So if we try to determine "integrity" by our own human definition, we get contradictions. There is no absolute.

And in our society right now, that's what we desire. We like that no one can tell us what's right or wrong. We like that no one can tell us what to do. Everyone is different, so everyone can do things their own way. We should all tolerate one another.

This is fine until my way encroaches on your way. Then somehow your moral system seems to be better than mine. And then you become right and I become wrong - even though we agreed at the beginning that my values are just as good as yours.

Do you see this hypocrisy?

So my answer to the question is this: NO, we CANNOT have integrity apart from Christ.

Before you start slamming me, let me say this: NOT all Christians have integrity. Just like not all Buddhists or New Agers or Muslims are perfect either.

BUT if we want consistent moral values across the board, we can only get them from God (who is perfect). Christ came down from heaven to show us the way to God. He said, I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.

But we have to first realize that our denying of our wrongdoings doesn't work - half of the time, we're not even living up to our own standards. Jesus did not come to condemn us. He came to free us from our guilt, from doing the same bad things over and over again. The solution to our guilt is not to bury them or to ask other people to accept the wrong action or to make other people do the same thing so you feel better.

The solution is to admit that it's wrong and turn from it and accept God's forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Doesn't that sound a lot better and simpler than doing it your way? And this is not a man-made religion. A relationship with God is offered from God Himself. We cannot do anything to deserve it. There is no credit to us, period.

So if you're struggling right now with your life and I know you are (even if you have a successful career, wonderful family, big house, or can party all night, you're probably still struggling with something), consider this: Jesus Christ already took your punishment for your crimes (against yourself, against your friends, against your enemies, against your spouse, etc.), all you have to do is to accept this gift from Him. Receive God's forgiveness and follow Him. Stop doing what you were doing (because that didn't get you anywhere). And do what He wants you to do. His way is better because

1. He's ALL powerful.
2. He knows everything that's going on in the world and whatever is in your mind.
3. He's outside of time and dimension.
4. He knows you better than you know yourself.
5. He loves you (He's willing to and did die for you).
6. He has a plan for you.

Being a Christian is not about being perfect. We don't make all the right decisions. We don't say all the right things. We don't think holy all the time. It is, however, about Jesus. It is about God. It is about what He has done for us. It is about that we are sinners who desperately need to be freed from this prison of sin and guilt. It is about Him setting us free by taking our punishment for us. It is about us following Him humbly and learning about Him with the Holy Spirit's help and the amazing grace and mercy that we call upon for forgiveness when we do sin. It is all about Him.