You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everbody. - 2 Corinthiaans 3:2
A dentist, with a syringe in his hand, bent over the patient who was about to have a tooth extracted. “You might feel a little sting,” he gently intoned, then added, “but then, on the other hand, it might feel as though you’ve been kicked in the mouth by a horse.” That’s telling the truth, rather bluntly, but at least you know what to expect. Many today are not so forthright. David, so says Scripture, said in his haste that all men are liars.
What does it mean to give your word when you are asked to do something? When you say, “Yes,” do you mean, “Yes, I heard you and I understand you want me to come on Friday, but I’ll come when I get around to it,” or do you mean, “Yes, I will be there!”?
Charles Swindoll says that integrity means keeping your word. If following through with your commitments is part of the fabric of integrity today, it is sadly lacking. Tradesmen – contractors, electricians, carpenters, and among many – are notorious for saying they will come because they want to work, but don’t show up when they are supposed to.
When Paul wrote to Titus, he instructed that slaves be subject to their masters, being trustworthy “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive” (Titus 2:10).
To the Corinthians he wrote, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody” (2 Corinthian 3:2). Your integrity is on the line. God expects more of His children than the world delivers. It makes the Gospel attractive to a skeptical world.