How to Have Integrity in Ordinary Things

Do you have integrity in the ordinary things? We have so much to learn from John the Baptist that will help us in the small things.

Today we will dig into the Gospel of Luke and learn how to have integrity in the ordinary things. John the Baptist had a purpose, a life calling, and a message to the individuals in his culture.

Digging Deeper: Luke 3

Key Verses: Luke 3:10-14

The Backdrop

The Book of John was written for you! Its message is about gladness in Jesus, something we desperately need as mothers, stuck in fear or anxiety. John was fearless in his integrity.

The setting in history for this chapter is during the Roman Empire when Tiberius Caesar had been in power over Israel for fifteen years. His rule was marked by extreme cruelty and severity, especially towards the Jewish people.

• Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea who was known for his brutal massacres.
• Herod was the tetrarch of Galilee.
• His brother, Philip, was the tetrarch of Iturea, Trachonitis, Lysanius, and Abilene.
• At the time, Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests.

The rulers of this period of history were known for their brutality and cruelty, especially towards the Jewish population. We know this, from the Bible but additionally in secular historical records that were recorded.

Unusual Things About John the Baptist

• John the Baptist was born to Zacharias and Elizabeth when they were beyond typical childbearing years.
• He was a peculiar-looking man who had lived in the wilderness for years.
• He didn’t dress like his contemporaries but stood out in clothes made from animal skins.
• His diet was very unusual as he lived on locusts and wild honey!

John the Baptist’s Warning

John the Baptist’s message was about Repentance. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry.

More and more, the message of repentance is being pushed under the rug. It is being ignored or taught that it is not necessary for salvation.

If you saw him today, you would likely think he looked odd or eccentric. He didn’t care what people thought of him.

He wasn’t afraid to preach a direct message to the rulers of his society. He wasn’t afraid of the cruel persecution so prevalent in Israel under the Roman Empire.

He would start preaching by calling the people a ‘brood of vipers!’ He was undaunted by what others thought of him.

Usually, you don’t start a sermon warning the audience that they are a bunch of snakes!

He warned them that they couldn’t get into heaven merely because they were a descendant of Abraham.

He went on to say that the only way to salvation is through repentance. He preached a baptism of remission of sins.

John’s theology on the baptism of repentance was that a person needs to get right with God and be cleansed.

John’s Message was about Integrity

John’s faith didn’t blow in the wind like a reed. He had integrity in a difficult culture.

John the Baptist’s message was simple and could have been for children.

So many people were blinded by the simplicity of the message and unwilling to give up their wicked ways and repent.

The people came to John in multitudes and were asking him questions. They asked, “What shall we do?” (Luke 3:10) and John replied,

“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” (Luke 3:11)

Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” (Luke 3:12)

And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” (Luke 3:13)

Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:14)

John’s Instructions were Quite Ordinary

• He encouraged the people to share!
• That they are fair with each other!
• That they would not be mean or cruel!
• That they would be happy and content with what they get!

We Teach our Children to Have Integrity

We EXPECT children to learn these things. As moms, it can be frustrating when our kids fight and argue because they haven’t learned these ordinary things.

BUT how often I fell short of more of these ordinary things than I care to admit!

God wants Integrity in the Ordinary Things

Do you think God’s instructions are complicated and difficult?

In reality, what God instructs you to do is to obey ordinary things.

• Integrity is the best way to show your genuine repentance!
• God does NOT require the impossible!
• He does NOT ask the HUGE things!
• God asks us to do the simple!
• He asks for you to do the straightforward!

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8)

Do you struggle to have integrity in ordinary things?

These are all ordinary things that every person has issues with in life. The important thing is, have you come to a place of repentance and laid it all at the cross where Christ’s blood was shed?