True Integrity
Frederick W. Robertson's sermon emphasizes the profound nature of integrity as wholeness and soundness in character, urging believers to reject all forms of deception.
Frederick W. Robertson emphasizes the importance of integrity, defining it as entireness, wholeness, and soundness of character. He highlights that integrity is tested in small matters more than in great ones, revealing the true allegiance of the soul to truth. Robertson challenges the notion that integrity is merely about sincerity or honesty, pointing out that true integrity involves hating untruth for what it is, regardless of the harm it may or may not cause.
Text
"But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity ..." (Ps. 26:11).
The next qualification is integrity. But by integrity I do not mean simply sincerity or honesty; integrity rather according to the meaning of the word as its derivation interprets it--entireness--wholeness--soundness: that which Christ means when He says, "If thine eye be single or sound, thy whole body shall be full of light."
This integrity extends through the entireness or wholeness of the character. It is found in small matters as well as great; for the allegiance of the soul to truth is tested by small things rather than by those which are more important. There is many a man who would lose his life rather than perjure himself in a court of justice, whose life is yet a tissue of small insincerities. We think that we hate falsehood when we are only hating the consequences of falsehood. We resent hypocrisy, and treachery and calumny, not because they are untrue, but because they harm us. We hate the false calumny, but we are half pleased with the false praise. It is evidently not the element of untruth here that is displeasing, but the element of harmfulness. Now he is a man of integrity who hates untruth as untruth: who resents the smooth and polished falsehood of society which does no harm: who turns in indignation from the glittering whitened lie of sepulchral Pharisaism which injures no one. Integrity recoils from deceptions which men would almost smile to hear called deception.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Definition of Integrity
- Distinction between Integrity and Honesty
- Biblical Perspective on Integrity
-
II
- The Importance of Wholeness in Character
- Integrity in Small Matters
- Testing Allegiance to Truth
-
III
- The Nature of Falsehood
- Societal Attitudes towards Deception
- The True Man of Integrity
Key Quotes
“But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity ...” — Frederick W. Robertson
“Integrity rather according to the meaning of the word as its derivation interprets it--entireness--wholeness--soundness.” — Frederick W. Robertson
“Integrity recoils from deceptions which men would almost smile to hear called deception.” — Frederick W. Robertson
Application Points
- Reflect on your daily actions to ensure they align with your values of integrity.
- Challenge yourself to identify and reject small insincerities in your life.
- Cultivate a deeper understanding of truth by examining societal norms around honesty and deception.