books:

	The Power of Integrity: Building a Life Without Compromise John MacArthur Crossway Books, 1997 - 192 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

We live in a society that has largely abandoned moral standards and Christian principles. Unkept campaign promises, false advertising, exaggerated tax exemptions, employee theft--compromise has become a way of life. Such moral concession has even invaded the church. Faced with an opportunity to proclaim Christ to unbelievers, we feel intimidated and keep silent. Or we water down God's Word on ethical issues at work or in our community to avoid rejection. Too often we prefer hypocrisy to integrity.

But God longs for His people to be different--to maintain a commitment to His standards, no matter what the cost. Is consistent obedience to God--integrity--attainable in this world of sin and self? By the grace and power of God, yes!

One of the nation's most respected pastors points the way to persevering character in Christ. Drawing from scriptural examples of godly men who modeled integrity during severe testing, MacArthur makes a compelling case for the impact a man or woman of integrity can have in our world.

A helpful study guide for individuals or groups is included.

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Compromise translates into false confession and belief. MacArthur aids by first examinining the essentials to motivate one to find the true confession, then be a person of discernment, which is the true way to live without compromise.

Great advice throughout this work, e.g. "Growing in deeper knowledge of Christ is a lifelong process that will not be complete until we see our Lord face to face," and "Unity of faith is impossible unless it is built on the foundation of commonly held truth."

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Written by a Man Who Lives It

Dr. John MacArthur is simply not a preacher nor just a great teacher of the Word of God nor is he simply writing a book to make money. He actually lives what he writes. Few can honestly admit that today in the evangelical church as we watch so many pastors and teachers fall into sin. Dr. MacArthur will challenge you to holiness and give you a renewed hatred for sin in your own life.

Integrity is not just a word. It is vital to leadership. We have seen the power of falling into immorality in the lives of preachers, Presidents, and other prominent men and women but for the Christian, integrity is much more than a word but it is our very life. Be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:12).

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Christian Witness

Mention the word 'humility' and a Christian immediately connects it to Jesus. Mention the word 'integrity' and that same Christian conjures images of Job - why is that?

I believe that, as God-in-the-flesh, Christ's greatest test was to remain humble, even unto the point of death. He was called on in this area of humanity to most display God's glory through His life, and death on the Cross.

Yet with Job we find that he had no informative knowledge of his hardship, no conscious reality of the purpose for his suffering, no way of knowing his ultimate end in this life. And yet faithful Job not only continued to speak the truth of himself and of God, but throughout the testing his profession of faith corresponded to his life. He sought to honor God, and still trust Him, even if it meant certain death.

Dr MacArthur deals with this unique God-given grace in this book. The fear of the Lord has etched this attribute into MacArthur's frame. He exemplifies this biblical character, and is one of the few modern evangelical leaders in America who has remained untainted by the humiliation of scandal - by God-given grace in the form of integrity. So he is well-qualified to write us exactly how to seek this noblest of virtues.

'Augustine, the early church father, said: 'The love of honor is the deadly bane of true piety. Other vices bring forth evil works, but this brings forth good works in an evil way.' Hypocrisy is dangerous because it is so deceptive. It often uses good things for evil purposes...' pg 105

'Instead, it's a reverence that motivates us and puts us on guard so we won't stumble and lose our joy. It guides us so we won't offend the Lord, compromise the integrity of our testimony before unbelievers, or negate our usefulness and ministry to other believers in the body of Christ.' pg 111

A worthy effort and should one be interested to read this book, know this, the testing will most definitely follow.

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A Biblical Call to Holiness When We Need It Most

Compromise is often labeled "the language of the devil." In practice, we usually picture something as dramatic as an adulteress relationship as the epitome of compromise. But most compromises are less obvious and just as dangerous. How many of the decisions we make on a daily basis involve even a hint of pride or selfishness? If we were to make every decision with intent on reflecting Christ's holiness, how different would our lives be from what they are now? The call from the scriptures is to become like Christ, and integrity in every aspect of our lives is an important aspect of that.

John MacArthur's The Power of Integrity provides an exploration of integrity what it looks like for the people of God to embody it. The first three chapters of the book deal with the definition and foundations of integrity. MacArthur argues that integrity of character is dependent upon union with Christ and integrity of doctrine, and that our "resources in this process are always God's Word and prayer. Through them you gain the mind of Christ (Col. 3:16)." (p21)

The second part of the book (chapters 4-6) look to various examples of integrity demonstrated in the Bible and in the lives of Christians. MacArthur explores the actions of Daniel and his friends while captive in Babylon, missionary Hudson Taylor, preacher Charles Spurgeon, and the Apostle Paul. All of these provide a clearer picture of how God's people can practically live out the integrity they are called to.

In the final chapters, MacArthur lays out the practice of integrity in the life of the believer. Instead of being passive or pietistic, we are to work with "fear and trembling" while utterly depending on God's work in our lives. We are to seek personal holiness in our through the various relationships in our lives and that leads to practical holiness that's displayed in love toward our Christian brethren as well as our enemies. At the end of the book is a helpful study guide for personal or group study and application.

In general, there's nothing new or original about this book. And there shouldn't be. The call to live a life of holiness as Christ is holy is ancient and yet we still fail at it. MacArthur merely takes these teachings and focuses our attention on them in a manner that is biblical and effectively practical. Among the many reasons for us to pursue integrity, one is that we live before a watching world. John MacArthur challenges us to look different from the world by living lives devoted to God without compromise. As the church continues to blend in with the watching world, books such as The Power of Integrity are necessary reminders of our responsibility to be work out our sanctification in this life.

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