Alien

What do you think would happen if an alien being really did visit our world - how would the world react? You don't have to wonder; someone from another world did visit planet earth, & we responded by crucifying Him. It's not that Jesus was strange - He looked like any other man; it's not that He was out of step with the culture - He came as a Jew to Jews.

Jesus Christ wasn't the problem. He embodied true humanity & united it with the essential nature of God in one perfect Person. The problem was in a world of sinful men that would not accept a visit from the Creator. Jesus didn't compromise Himself or His teaching to the world of men, & that made them angry.

Jesus' integrity to God's character & God's truth really frustrated the Jews - He wouldn't line up with their system of works & self-righteousness. He rejected their interpretations of the Law (Matthew 5:21-48); He rejected their superficial & hypocritical righteousness (Matthew 6:1-18); He rejected their love of money (Matthew 6:19-34). He just wouldn't cooperate with them - To do that would require compromise, & Jesus was the epitome of integrity.

Integrity to the truth & integrity to godly character - that's what should characterize you if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Integrity is the badge of every true believer. That badge might bring you into conflict with the world, because the world is characterized by compromise.

Your Christian testimony is tied up to your complete devotion to God's Word as the highest authority - no matter what the consequences may be. God draws the elect into the kingdom through Christians who prove to be different from the world - who reveal their true allegiance by their commitment and obedience to God's standards.

Those who maintain a life of integrity will be blessed by God. It is the way we represent Christ on earth as His ambassadors. We identify with Him by standing apart from the world, not compromising God's truth or His character in how we live our lives, in how we conduct ourselves in His church. And when we identify ourselves with Him here on earth, He will confess us before His Father in heaven and will one day receive us to Himself.


Adapted from The Power of Integrity (c) 1997 by John MacArthur.