PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY

 

Who is the only person to hold the office of Vice President and President of the United States of America, but was not elected to either office? Answer: Gerald Ford. He was selected by President Richard Nixon to replace Spiro Agnew Vice President in 1973. Upon Nixon’s resignation on August 9, 1974, due to the Watergate scandal, Ford became President. One of the notable things he did while President was issuing a full pardon to Richard Nixon. At the time, he received tremendous criticism, but he believed it was the right thing to do. Many believe the pardon cost him the election in 1976. Mr. Ford passed away last week at the age of 93. He was remembered as a man of honesty and integrity; a man of moral strength.

 

Webster defines integrity as “soundness of and adherence to moral principle and character; uprightness; honesty.” It seems to me that people of integrity are a dying breed in our society and especially in prominent positions. The old saying, “Let you word be your bond” seems to be a forgotten way of life. Athletes sign a multi-year contract to give them security and then after a good year demand to renegotiate. When was the last time you heard of one demanding a new contract at a lower salary because they had a bad year? A football coach accepts a job at a university after repeatedly saying he would not take the job. How can he teach the young men he will coach the importance of honesty? Politicians are involved in scandal after scandal of financial and sexual natures.

 

*                    Zephaniah 3:13 – “The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”

*                    Proverbs 23:23 – “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”

*                    2 Kings 12:15 – “Moreover they did not require an account from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to be paid to workmen, for they dealt faithfully.”

*                    Matthew 5:37 - “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’  ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

 

Let us all live in such a way that “Let your word be your bond” is more than just words. Let us live in such a way that all who know us will know we are people of integrity.

--Lamar