and concerning righteousness

"The Quest for Integrity" {Matt5:33-37}
* Intro: all struggle w/ it
* "Uprightness of character"
* OT Background
- Forbidden to make false vows {Lev19:12, Num30:2}
- Lord instructs folks to make oaths (thus not sinful)
* Practice of Lord's day
- Hierarchy of oaths
- Full of loopholes
- "Evasion elevated to art form"
* Lord's standard of integrity
- Make no oaths
- Creates separation twixt God and everyday aspects of life
- Creates distinctions in truth
- Followers should have rep for truthfulness
* Application
- Show integrity in words {Prov12:22 -- HATES liars}
- Lord did not prohibit taking legal oaths {Matt26, Pauline letters}
- Show integrity in actions (promises and priorities)
- Others will judge God by our integrity (light & salt)
- Integrity a heart attitude and takes commitment
- When stumble, ask for forgiveness

Missed def for integrity: what you do when no one is watching....