Tag Archive for: Above Reproach

Testing your Moral Compass

On Sunday in my local church congregation, I was invited to teach a lesson entitled “Integrity, A Christlike Attribute.”
After discussing what integrity means (e.g., honesty, consistency in actions, upholding moral principles etc), we created a straight line on the floor with some string and tape.
I explained that one end of the line represented “Strongly Agree,” the opposite end represented “Strongly Disagree,” and the middle represented a neutral stance.
The activity involved making decisions about how much they agreed or disagreed with certain statements related to integrity.
For example:
– “Integrity means always telling the truth, no matter the consequences.”
– “Sometimes it’s necessary to bend the rules to achieve a greater good.”
– “It’s okay to cheat a flawed system that is stacked against you.”
On each occasion, I invited everyone to position themselves on the line to indicate their view.
It was a fun activity, with lots of discussion and various opinions.

A personal lesson

After teaching the lesson it reminded me of my own moral dilemma from thirty years ago.
During my time at University in Edinburgh, occasionally I travelled home on the train.
The station where I boarded had no ticketing facilities and there was no alternative but to purchase a ticket on the train.
On one occasion, no conductor came along, so I couldn’t purchase a ticket.
Alighting at my home station, I must confess to feeling a little smug at not having to pay!
However, a few days later, the same thing happened again.
Then shortly thereafter, it happened on a 3rd occasion!
By this time, I was feeling uneasy about the whole thing.
I entered the ticket office at my home station and informed the clerk that I wanted to pay for my journey home, explaining what had happened.
I’ll never forget the quizzical look on his face, when he responded, “Get away son, don’t be daft, you’ve just had a freebie!”
My conscience was clear!
Most people have a sense of right and wrong, how and how not to behave.
What is your ethical DNA?
“A life of integrity requires us to be true to our divine identity” – Jack N. Gerard.
How has your moral compass been tested recently?

Above Reproach

Perhaps you’re serving a mission, served previously, want to serve in the future or want to improve your relationships with others?
Young or old, in the mission field, the standards, the discipline, the expectations – are high.
To be an effective missionary, you must be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and be 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡, in all of your actions and dealings with everyone.
Building a Christlike character is a daily process, it is an individual responsibility.
By following the “Missionary Standards for the Disciples of Jesus Christ,” the example each missionary sets can always be above reproach.

What does it mean to be 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉?

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 – “Impossible to criticise, being good, blameless, unaccusable, faultless, exemplary, impeccable.
In the books of 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul referring to the qualifications of a Bishop, outlines virtues that an individual would have to possess in order to be “𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡”.
Similarly, a missionary is not arrogant or quick-tempered or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Over these last two years, I know that it takes personal effort in all of our actions and communications to be above reproach.
Is your soul untarnished?
It may not be easy, but it is possible.
Our actions must be above reproach, not only in the public domain, but even more so in our own private moments.
How are your interactions with others?
As missionaries and disciples of Jesus Christ, being thoughtful of our spoken words, the things we say and share online, the way we treat others, and the way we live our daily lives, must always be above reproach.
I know the example that missionaries set, will indeed set the tone for others to follow, just like the millions who choose to follow the ultimate example of being above reproach, even Jesus Christ.

Are you true to yourself?

A true missionary is one who is living a life above reproach.
If we are to find true happiness, real joy, missionary or not, then living our life above reproach, should be a given.
This week during Zone Conferences, we ran expert panels with 13 soon to be departing for home missionaries. It was fun!
I love these pictures of missionaries serving with all of their hearts, learning what it means to honour missionary standards, and to serve above reproach.
How do you maintain your personal character and live your life 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡?