Before we come to know the Lord, integrity is an admirable quality to adopt. However, after we lay claim to Christ’s family, integrity is a nonnegotiable. It’s a “have-to,” not a “want-to.” It’s a requirement, not a request. It’s one of those traits that is completely and undeniably inseparable from those of us who wear the honorable title of Christ-follower. It’s probably the single most identifying character trait that nonbelievers look for in believers. Whether in family relationships, friendships, or business dealings, unquestionable, irreplaceable integrity is a hallmark of Christ-followers the world over.
Integrity is the fruit that comes from being filled with Christ’s light. We can’t help but display honorable behavior when we really grasp what Christ has done for us and given to us. Observe the “before-and-after” example Ephesians 5:8-9 speaks of: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth…” See there? When you get the one (the light), you get the other (integrity).
I saw just how powerful personal integrity can be when I dealt with many of my creditors during the downfall of my homebuilding business. One supplier in particular seemed to take stock of my seemingly surprising practices. I owed one of our local concrete companies thousands and thousands of dollars when my company finally went under. And since my wife Elizabeth and I opted not to file bankruptcy, the debts remained for many, many years. Once I began building another business and began receiving regular income, I resumed paying them – little by little. Month after month, I paid them what I could, slowly chipping away at my massive IOU.
Years went by and my payments continued. One day, I looked up from my desk to see the sales rep from the company standing in front of me. After we exchanged pleasantries, he seemed to change his countenance and said, “You know, Randy, we really appreciate you continuing to pay on your bills, but enough time has passed such that you don’t have to pay them anymore.”
I must have looked like what he said didn’t compute because he was quick to explain. “I know. I know. You want to keep paying it back because of what’s in here,” he said as he pointed to his heart. All I could do was nod in agreement.
That moment was only topped by the day I made the final payment on my longest-standing bill. Of the three company owners, one was a believer, and he called me later on the day I made the last payment. “Randy,” he said, “I want to thank you for seeing this debt through ’til the end. You’ll never understand what this did for me. You see, my other two partners don’t know Christ and they told me, ‘That preacher’s boy will never pay us back.’ But you, Randy, have been such a witness to my partners by paying this back in full and for doing the right thing by our company.”
Let me tell you, at that moment, every sacrifice my family had made for years and years was worth it to know that others had seen the light through my actions. It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was tougher than I ever dreamed it would be, but I wouldn’t have settled for any other resolution.
Randy Draper is the author of Happy To Do It: Get Your “Snap” On! (HeartSpring Media. ©2010 Randy Draper. Used by permission). He joins James and Betty this Thursday on LIFE TODAY.
