I Have More Integrity...

 This week's articles are reflections from advice from my dad who is struggling with heart problems and surgeries in the hospital.  He was very successful and respected as a top leader and manager of men at IBM for 30 years and the lessons he learned and wisdom he gained continue on.  If you are a believer, say The Prayer for Dad (Romans 10:13). 

"Part of the reason I don't like church is because I don't like preachers," Dad gruffed a bit.  He wasn't mad just frustrated as he continued, "I have more integrity than most of them that I have met and I make no claims like they do.  I have seen them get extra change at the restaurant and keep it.  I have heard their talk when they forget we are listening..."

"Dad.  Not everyone is like that..." I began to explain.  Unfortunately, as Robert Ingram (a dear friend and great trial lawyer) has taught me - your argument is only as strong as its weakest point.  If you say one thing that the opposition can refute, your entire argument falls into question.

So goes the average preacher's claims when my Father who can identify many Christian leaders who are lacking in integrity.  I know that I, or many others, could say, "Well, Dave is just finding reasons to rationalize his choice.  There will be as many hypocrites in hell as heaven and he should choose heaven for himself," or, "If they are wrong, why don't you be right.  Regardless of ..."  However, those are comments that people lacking integrity use to rationalize their choices.

Why doesn't the church live the life of integrity that it claims to have found in Jesus Christ? We should be devastated when we fail and, thus, be driven to live a life of integrity simply because it is right to do the right thing.  The world is watching and we should be able to steal their excuse and hold a promise of a better life than they currently have.  It does not matter if they are wrong in their life or argument - it matters that we are right in ours.