Competing With GritSample

Integrity: Stay in Bounds

READY:

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.” — Psalm 119:1 (NLT)

SET

It's happening now, it's happened before, and it may happen again. A rule is broken, a law is ignored, and integrity is lost. From an 8U sports team to the professional level, athletes and coaches have crossed the line, broken the rules, and defied the laws in place.

I'm sure each of us can name an athlete, a coach, or even a team that faced controversy and criticism after deciding to break the rules! Pete Rose, Mark McGwire, NFL Bountygate, Olympian Marian Jones, and Lance Armstrong all broke the rules. As a professional cyclist, Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France an unbelievable seven times! But as we learned in his interviews, driven by a lust for money and fame, he used performance-enhancing drugs to win at all costs! He broke the rules. He cheated—just to win.

We have rules, laws, and boundaries for a reason. Rules provide order and maintain cultural direction and peace. It seems that today we are seeing a decline of morality, which directly conflicts with the rules and laws in place. Some see these rules as binding or restrictive, but they are life-giving! Just consider a steep, winding road in the mountains without guardrails—that is dangerous! Guardrails, like rules, provide boundaries that keep us from perilous moments. A fish tank with no walls leaves a fish floundering in an evaporating puddle of water until it no longer lives. A sport without a set of rules leads to arguing, fighting, and chaos.

In Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, we discover a psalm focusing on the words (precepts) of God! Words like "commands, instructions, laws, and decrees" are mentioned over a hundred times! Verse 1 tells us, "Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord." It's obvious as you read and examine this world, that those who stay in bounds and on track are doing it God's way, thus avoiding shame and guilt. Instead of shame, they are filled with joy! 

The Psalmist goes on to say in verse 5, "O that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!" He is on a daily journey to follow God's commands. He desires that his actions reflect or imitate God. The disciple John tells us to imitate God—He is good (3 John 1:11). The apostle Paul says, "Imitate God in all that you do..." (Ephesians 5:1). How do we reflect and imitate God and His goodness? We must understand His rules and follow His commands and decrees. These rules are life-giving and joy-producing in our lives! 

GO

• Do your actions and obedience to God's laws reflect the faith you proclaim?
• When is it hard to spiritually stay in bounds?
• Just as a referee helps us stay in line, who will help hold you accountable?

WORKOUT

Psalm 119; Hebrews 13:7; 2 Timothy 3:14-17

OVERTIME

“Heavenly Father, I want to be successful in all I do. But Father, sometimes I step out of bounds. Forgive me for the times when I have not been a person of integrity, living out Your commands. With the power of Your Holy Spirit working in me, help me to imitate You and reflect You by being a person of integrity. Amen.”

Rex Stump

Rex is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the NW Ohio/Southern Michigan region. For 16 years, Rex has worked with area colleges, schools, and sports teams sharing the Gospel and words of encouragement. Rex is blessed to be married to his wife Jenny, who serves as the Office Administrator. They have three active sons: Collin (graduate school), Carter (college junior), and Clay (high school junior).