Jan
18
4 big ideas: #3-integrity
Filed Under Christian Living, Four big ideas, The Church
In preaching through Galatians last year I identified four big ideas that run through Paul’s letter. Those four big ideas should form and shape how ministry is carried out in the day-to-day life of the Church. I am trying to embody them in my own ministry and to impart them to our leaders at First, Kosciusko. This is the third of the four big ideas, which are truth, authority, integrity and love.
INTEGRITY: Walk in step with the gospel. In Galatians 1-2 Paul asks, Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. He is reminding these folk of the integrity of his doctrine and life. The two were one. In ch.2 when he describes his confrontation with Peter, he writes I say that their conduct was not in step with the gospel. Peter acted differently toward the Gentile converts when the brothers from Jerusalem came to town. Paul calls this breakdown of integrity conduct…not in step with gospel. The welcome and acceptance Christ has shown us was not reflected in Peter’s behavior. Peter did not announce a change in his views. I’m sure he could, at that moment, have preached a dead-solid-perfect gospel sermon, but his behavior was not in step with the gospel.
In the final chapter of Galatians, he writes that the distinction between circumcision/non-circumcision is irrelevant. What is relevant, what counts for everything is a new creation (6:15; cf. 4:26-29; 2:20). Therefore everything else that identifies us or gives us significance or status with each other doesn’t count for much at all. I might as well boast of the shape of my eyebrows. What matters is a new creation–the mindset of utter reliance upon Christ demonstrated by a faith working through love–a path of Christ-exaltation over self-exaltation. I think about Paul’s words in Philippians 2, Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit and am convicted by how much of my activity, even as a minister, springs from rivalry (’Let me prove to you that I am better than ______…’) or conceit (’Hey, watch me do this and be impressed!’). Instead, I must walk in step with the gospel that exalts the Savior and humbles the sinner–all the time.
Peace and mercy be upon all those who walk by this rule…
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