The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
— Proverbs 11:1-6
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
— Colossians 3:17
Most of you know that I love golf, I love playing it, I love watching it, I love the history of it. Among the icons of golf, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr., Bobby Jones, stands as one of golfs greatest heroes. In the final match of the 1926 US Amateur, Bobby Jones did what in other sports would be unthinkable. In a match play competition, like the Amateur, each hole is akin to a game in tennis. After 34 holes, Jones was down by 1 hole with two to play. On the 35th hole, Jones’ ball stood at rest on the green, waiting for him to putt, if he made the putt, the match would continue to the final hole. Jones would still have a chance to win the title. Just before he took the club back, the ball moved ever so slightly. No one but Jones saw it move. But, that was enough, he marked his scorecard accordingly. (In 1926, that would incur a penalty, loss of hole. In 2020, Jones would only be required to return the ball to its original place. That I know that is evidence enough of how much of a nerd I am) In any event, Jones lost that match and the championship. Jones thought this such an unremarkable event that in his autobiography, Jones never mentioned it. Instead, he simply remarked that he had been outplayed.
William Barclay says of Colossians 3:17, it is the only law a Christian ever needs. We can ask of ourselves: can I do this in the name of Jesus Christ and can I give thanks to God while doing it. If the answer is no, we need to wonder why we are doing, saying, even thinking these things, even if no one is watching. A wise man once said, integrity is what you do, when no one would know the difference. It is about the private moments, when only you know. It is about listening to that still small voice within your heart, urging integrity. It is about being able to look into the mirror each day. Too often, we choose our behavior based in what we think others can see. The question ought to be, what can I live with? Can I still have respect for myself after this choice.
Create in Me a Clean Heart (Keith Green)
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me.
God who sees into the depths of every heart, show us the weak spots in our discipleship and strengthen our hearts to reflect your grace in every place. Though Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pastor Tom