Retrieving the Gauntlet

John throws down the gauntlet in a little letter written a couple thousand years ago:

"But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did" (1 John 2:5-6, NIV).

Back in an age when chivalry and personal honor were paramount, throwing a gauntlet at the feet of an enemy or opponent was considered a grave insult that could only be answered with personal combat, and the offended party was expected to “take up the gauntlet” in order to accept the challenge. In the Apostle John's case, no insult is hurled, but an ultimatum is issued nonetheless. Here is a clear cut, either-or scenario--either we live as Jesus did or we do not belong to Him. This is no metaphorical mumbo-jumbo. No room for hermeneutical gymnastics.

What was he thinking? Surely John had something in mind other than our mimicking sinless perfection or mirroring supernatural power. The answer is found in peering beyond the surface of things and recognizing that what lies behind Christ's amazing life is immaculate integrity. To live as Jesus lived is to be a person of integrity at all times and under all circumstances. The way Jesus acted matched perfectly what Jesus said. No inconsistency existed in the person of Jesus Christ because He lived to please the Father. "Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work'" (John 4:34, ESV).

If who you're with is more influential than who you are, it's time to learn a lesson of integrity. Contrary to popular opinion, integrity is not always popular; at times it is the farthest thing from it. Consistency won't necessarily net you a profit and you'll likely win even fewer popularity contests, but integrity seeks approval on a higher plane. What others think is of little value to those of us who would be "little Christs" (C. S. Lewis's term), but what God approves is of eternal significance. If I want to live as Jesus did (and I do), I will pick up the "gantelet" by exhibiting behavior consonant with my profession and an attitude reconcilable with my testimony. Father, above all else, grant us integrity.