A nation built on integrity

Our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was signed 248 years ago July 4th. Our Constitution was signed 11 years later in 1787. With each new year we break a world record for the longest standing constitution.

Stunningly, the average lifespan of a national constitution is just 17 years. For instance, in its history China has had four constitutions. Russia has had four; Brazil, seven; France, 16; Ecuador, 20, Haiti, 23 and Venezuela, 25. We must ask, what makes America the exception?

The answer comes in the following thoughts I found in the Founder’s Bible regarding a character trait our founders shared that can also be found in the hearts of many of our neighbors here in Central Nebraska! It’s called “integrity” and it is that consistency of honesty and virtuous living that sets a person apart from others.

With such a clear emphasis on integrity throughout the Bible, it is not surprising that the founding fathers considered it to be the highest human virtue. Dr.

Benjamin Rush, a signer of the declaration who also started the American Sunday school movement and America’s first Bible Society, noted, “I think I have observed that integrity in the conduct of both the living and the dead takes a stronger hold of the human heart than any other virtue.”

The lessons of history, as well as his own personal experience had taught Dr. Rush that an individual, whether living or dead, was most often remembered for his integrity, or lack thereof, as in the case of Benedict Arnold. Once a highly lauded American military leader and hero of the battle of Saratoga, Benedict Arnold will always be remembered for his single act of betrayal. Today his name is synonymous with a treacherous breach of integrity.

But what is integrity?

Fortunately, Dr. Rush provided a concise definition: “By integrity, I mean… Veracity (devotion to the truth), fidelity to promises, and a strict coincidence between thoughts, words, and actions.”

Notice, especially the latter part of the definition: integrity exists when there is consistency between what one thinks, says and does – when actions actually match words. Dwight Moody said, “Character is what you are in the dark.”

Inspiringly, integrity is a trait that was readily visible in the signers of the Declaration.

When they penned that document and listed the principles of sound government as well as violations of them by the British crown, the founders announced that to secure their objective, “…we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Each gave his word to sacrifice all he had in order to achieve the goals they had set forth in the Declaration.

It is certainly impressive to make such an eloquent rhetorical promise, but it is quite a different matter to stand by it, especially when doing so will place your very life in jeopardy.

But, as history demonstrates, the signers of the Declaration were indeed men of integrity. They kept their word and at a high cost. In fact, 19 of the 56 signers put on a military uniform and went to war where two died at the hands of the British and two others were wounded in battle.

(Seven others died during the war) In addition, five (including those signers who had also led in arenas outside the military) were made prisoners of war, 17 lost their estates or fortunes, five incurred heavy debt by personally financing the war, 14 lost their families or were separated from them, two lost children and three lost their wives. There was not a single recorded instance of any one of the 56 refusing to deliver on his promise. Securing independence truly was costly for the signers – all of them.

As John Adams said to the nation’s then future generations: “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it! If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”

Integrity is important, and the signers of the declaration and numerous Bible heroes, including Job, Daniel, Joseph and of course Jesus, modeled integrity. But how is integrity achieved? Joseph Story, who grew up during the American Revolution (his father was one of the “Indians” in the Boston tea party), was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President James Madison and is known as one of the fathers of American jurisprudence. Justice Joseph Story was crystal clear about how integrity is formed.

He explained, “To secure integrity, there must be a lofty sense of duty and a deep responsibility to future times as well as to God.”

Integrity is born out of the awareness of a deep sense of answerability to God. Recall that before the signers of the Declaration pledged their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor,” they declared their “firm reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence.”

If there is not a genuine mindfulness of God and accountability to Him, there is no real reason to keep one’s word.

When we know we will give a full account to God, and He will either reward or punish us for the performance of our word, that awakens a clear incentive.

If we desire to please Him, we will keep our word no matter the cost. And why not? That is what it means to be like Him.

Integrity is His chief characteristic. After all, since the dawn of creation, in the renewing of His covenant with us, He pledged His own life, His entire fortune and did so on His own sacred honor. We have redemption because He kept his word, even though it cost the life of His own precious Son to do so.

He is the originator of integrity!

He does not make excuses; He keeps his promises, every time.

He is the author and finisher of our faith. And as His children, He has left us with a glorious promise that though “it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

Oh, the riches of life, for those who choose to follow, to fix their gaze upon Him and walk in integrity! May your word be your bond, and may Christ be the glue by which you stick to it. Happy Independence Day to you and your families!

Loren Lippincott represents Legislative District 34 in the Nebraska State Senate. Read his column in the Nance County Journal.