On Christian Integrity // Philippians 1:9

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of my absolute favorites in the Scriptures. He wrote it while in jail but it is filled with joy, hope, and how a relationship with Jesus helps people in the lowest of times. Today’s verse is from a longer section that I think is important to read in its entirety: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (NIV). Just before this section, Paul shared in what we know as verse 7 that his entire focus is living for Jesus regardless of his circumstances. He mentioned that whether he is imprisoned or out sharing the Good News, his mission and message remains the same. Is this true for you or do you segment your life into more manageable categories? Are you one who can be the same anywhere you go or with whomever you interact? That is the essence of integrity. It’s being the same person all the time and striving to do the right thing even when no one else is watching. That was Paul’s prayer for the readers of his letter, whether it was in 62 AD, 2023, and every year in between. If this is an area that could use some work in your life, rest assured you are not alone! We can all struggle with it, especially when we face judgment. So, make a commitment today to live for Jesus. Do that and ensure you are ready for whatever comes your way.