Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.(Psalm 24:5–6—NIV)

God clearly cares about integrity issues in the lives of those who would know Him and serve Him. That He would care is logically understood from a simple review of His nature. Supreme, unmixed, unchangeable holiness is an attribute of God recognizable throughout Scripture. All of what has been revealed and we trust about Him is predicated upon His holiness. Every dealing of God with man is in conformity to His holy nature.

Our text speaks to the one who desires to live in the presence of this holy God in service and fellowship. He is not the “occasional Christian”. This is the individual who has been redeemed from sin’s clutches by the payment of Jesus Christ purchasing the sinner’s freedom and paying his sin debt in full. This one has received a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9) and an order to be holy in conduct even as He Who has called him is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

At the risk of being overly simplistic, the Psalmist gives four views of holy integrity – “outside, inside, upside and downside” – holy hands, holy heart, holy devotion and holy relationships. The godly man will strive to be pure, not false. The pursuit of godliness will not allow for conduct which reflects poorly on the nature of the One Whom he serves and before Whom he stands. The thought of dishonoring God is abhorrent to him.

This man will stand out in society, and in church, as unique. He is recognized as the one instantly ready to apply his hand to the work of God. Every testing of his motivation proves a sincerity to honor God and a thirst after God. His soul purpose is his sole purpose. His dependability will be legendary both in and out of the church.

There will be times when society and circumstance imply that issues of integrity and character do not matter. Do not let creeping doubt dislodge you from the anchorpoint of the holiness of God. Has time and life worn away the bright polish on your badge of integrity? Are there areas of integrity which you need to revisit?