In Nigeria today there’s been a breakdown, and a compromise in integrity.
Recent
headlines say it all. From the ailing banks and their Chiefs to the
sickly but “recovering” Commander-in-Chief,
who his predecessor recently called an invalid (or was I the only one that
heard that); we are witnesses to and victims of a system built on a foundation devoid of
integrity. I’m still waiting for a name from someone in the Presidency, for
this current government. We’ve once had “a child of circumstance” and “a child
of necessity”. What shall this “baby” be called, after fifty years of self rule?!
Sadly though, insensitivity, wickedness and greed aren’t
limited to bank CEOs and other Executives in government. We
are witnessing a moral laxity behind our pews and, even worse, behind the
pulpit.
A person with integrity does not manipulate others or
the system they serve, for private goals and ambitions. He or she is not prone to pomposity
or arrogance. Integrity even invites constructive and necessary
criticism because it applauds accountability. Integrity is not afraid of
the
white light of examination or demands of close scrutiny. It’s
honesty at all costs. It is
expensive but a higher price is paid without it.
In addressing this crucial mark of character, I could come
across as the “white knight,” but those that know, will agree
that
I struggle and even fail more often than I’d happily
admit; though I try not to spend time mourning my falls of yesterday, neither
do I treat myself with kid gloves when the questions, “for who and why?” cannot be answered without a tincture of guilt. It’s important to establish this here and now because
there are some things integrity is not. It is not sinless perfection. A
person with integrity does not live a life absolutely free of sin. No one does.
After all, Nathanael (in whom there was no guile John 1:47), still needed the
saving grace of Jesus.
Integrity means the absence of duplicity and is the opposite
of hypocrisy. If you are a person of integrity, you will do what you say. What
you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes personal
reliability, private purity and financial accountability.
This is the story of Peter, a disciple in Sudan. I met
Peter in April 2006. He came to South Sudan from Nigeria by road in October
2005; traveling through the infamous roads and bush tracks from Cameroon to the
Congo, via Central African Republic. His journey was that of an adventurous and
desperate businessman, with big dreams for success in a land he knew absolutely nothing
about. He’d later confess, “… if I was given $1million now to make that trip
again, I’ll not do it.” He traveled for 2months. He’s a red-blooded Ibo
man with a nose for business.
Peter came to know the Lord Jesus through my witness and
a whole new journey started; one far more challenging than his trip from
Nigeria to Sudan by road. Driven by his ambition to “make it” in business, he’d
learned to speak Juba Arabic which is the local dialect in just 5months. But
that was not what surprised me the m
ost.
Peter walked into my room one day and showed me $1000 in hundred
dollar bills and said, “… I noticed the bank has credited my account with this-
and I didn’t pay that into my account. What should I do?”
We were at the bank an hour later and they were shocked
he was returning the money. I was overjoyed for him. Though life was tough those
days, it was so satisfying to see he loved the decision he made. He passed the
test of integrity several times on different occasions then after and still continues
on its path today; enjoying the riches of Christ as he matures along the narrow
way.
When you work and walk with integrity, you honor the
Lord. Regardless of your profession, your character and conduct are
methods of ministry.
Apostle Paul wrote, “For our gospel did not come to you in word only,
but also in power and in the
Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your
sake. And you became imitators of us and
of the Lord, welcoming the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you were
examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1Thess1:5-7)
Do we really desire change? Then let’s stand with
integrity in a culture weakened by hypocrisy. Let’s start by doing what
is right when no one is watching or would know. Brazen
courage demonstrated on behalf of righteousness, never goes unnoticed and
unchallenged. The rewards are greater than we could ever wish for.
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 
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