Blog Notes

Living with Integrity

Right actions should spring from a willing heart, not from a grudging sense of obligation.

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:20

This principle is summed up by its paraphrase: “Demonstrate virtue and purity that exceeds those who are merely following external commands.”

A life of integrity is one that is not driven solely by a list of do’s and don’ts. Right actions should spring from a willing heart, not from a grudging sense of obligation. It’s not just a matter of doing the right thing, but doing the right thing for the right reasons, with the right attitude.

Once the heart is sincere and motives are pure, actions of true integrity will follow.

The beginning of the Kingdom of God

The beginning of the kingdom of God

Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and [how] I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

Exodus 19:3-6

This is the first mention in the Bible of a physical, identifiable kingdom related to God’s purpose and will among men. At Sinai, God was setting apart a people for himself. The Kingdom would become a theme and pattern woven throughout the rest of the biblical narrative.