When we live truthfully, we are being authentic. We are being people of integrity. Loving with integrity means being open about our weaknesses. We may want to appear better than we are, but that is not living authentically. Loving with integrity means recognizing how important the truth really is. Christians live on a higher plane, just because others don’t tell the truth, doesn’t mean we can lower our standard. We must remember that thinking, speaking and living in the truth is what we do as Christians. It is who we are. The life of a truth teller continues to influence others even after death. Loving with integrity means being consistent in our life choices. Our body language speaks as much as our eyes or our words, and they must be consistent. They should all reflect the same truth. Loving with integrity means being a risk taker for the sake of the truth. If confrontation is hard for you, this may be a difficult point. It may not be comfortable, but it is essential. Integrity calls us to take the risk of loving others by telling them the truth when it is needed. Loving with integrity also means keeping your promises. It takes only one promise left unfulfilled for someone to question your integrity. If we really want to love with integrity, let’s do those five things….*be open about our weaknesses, *recognize the importance of truth, *be consistent in thoughts, words and deeds, *take necessary risks to live in truth, and keep our promises. When we promise something, let’s stick with our promise. Let’s do everything within our power to hold to our vows to our spouse, or our promises to your children, or our commitment to our employer/employees. If we want to live authentically, and love authentically, let’s fight for truth, let’s stand up for what is right, and let’s live life with integrity. The world is watching. Let’s show them how Christ would do it, by how we live! Make those words of Paul part of your life, “follow me, like I follow Christ.”
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