Foundations of Integrity for Ministry
Our political environment and popular culture have given license to self-service, ends-justifying-means, and low integrity. The population has grown accustomed to scandals, dishonest public figures, and even a lack of integrity on the part of some ministers.
In the value system of our culture, good performance is valued above good judgment. In God's kingdom, poor judgment invalidates performance. "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (1 Tim. 2:5)
This desensitization to high standards has not changed the heart of God, the Word of God, or people who have a long-term commitment to the same. For people of integrity in the Lord, the ends never justify the means. Too much “I obey God rather than man” talk is usually rooted in rebellion, defined as “open resistance to established and accepted order.”
This is the meaning of the statement: “Some were sent, and some just went.”
None of this is about legalism; it’s about loving others (which is evidence of loving God), and loving God’s covenant community more than ourselves. It is about operating under authority, which is a covering, not a lid.
A tree is not known by its words. A tree is known by its fruit.
Jesus is building His church. He's not building my ministry. During five decades of ministry, I've never seen God's Word or godly principles fail in the long run. Ministers don't have the prerogative of living by a different set of guidelines than all other believers. This approach has always contributed to a poor witness to the larger community, often contributing to moral and fiscal failure.
According to James, there is self-deception in not being doers of the Word. (James 1:22) People are always free to do what they want to do, but you are free to examine the fruit and ask the question, “To whom are you accountable?” ("God" is not the correct answer)
Relevant texts:
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” (Prov. 18:1)
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
“Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” (2 Cor. 8:21)
[Words of Jesus] He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? (Luke 16:10-12)
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40)
“Not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:4)
“Obey them that have the oversight of you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
