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December HeartBeat

By JAY Wilber

I write this article, I realize that by the time it makes the HeartBeat, we will have celebrated 50 years of ministry. Many of you will have attended the big event at the Changing of the Colors Rally in Hatfield, where we had the opportunity to hear from people who have been part of the ministry for many years. They shared stories about what it was like in the early years and some of the testimonies they had experienced. One of the main themes we hear often is that CMA is respected in the motorcycling community. The reason for that is that CMA has a high level of integrity. What does that mean?

The Biblical definition of integrity is“ having a whole and undivided heart, living with absolute truthfulness and moral uprightness, and aligning one’ s life with God’ s Word, even when facing opposition or cost.”

Some examples of integrity in the Bible are as follows

• Joseph: Joseph maintained his integrity through slavery, wrongful imprisonment, and ultimately rose to power in Egypt, showcasing faithfulness and a refusal to compromise his morals.

• Job: Despite losing his wealth, family, and health, Job remained blameless and upright, refusing to curse God and demonstrating profound integrity in the face of immense suffering.

• Daniel: Daniel showed integrity by refusing to eat the king’ s food to avoid ceremonial defilement and continued his prayer life even when it was forbidden, earning favor and respect.

New Testament Examples

• Jesus: Jesus is the ultimate example of integrity, demonstrating perfection, truthfulness, and consistent good works. He was tempted in every way humans are, yet He never sinned, making Him the highest standard of integrity.

• The Apostle Paul: Paul’ s life is a testament to God’ s transformative power, and he stressed the importance of faithfulness in his teachings, as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:2, where it states that servants must be found faithful.

Key Scriptures on Integrity

•“ People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed”( Proverbs 10:9, NLT).

•“ The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them”( Proverbs 20:7, NLT).

•“ But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ”( 1 Peter 3:16, NLT).

Integrity is essential in ministry because it builds trust, fosters respect, and demonstrates consistency with one’ s values and teachings. It involves honest and ethical actions, consistent character in public and private, and a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult. For ministers, integrity creates a credible foundation for their leadership and spiritual influence, preventing moral collapses and ensuring reliability for the congregation.

Why Integrity is Crucial

• Builds Trust and Credibility

• Earns Respect

• Demonstrates Consistency

• Prevents Moral Failure

• Provides a Positive Example

As we start our new 50 years, let’ s continue what we started. Be a servant of Jesus, do it with integrity, and be true to CMA values. As a member of CMA, we are called to follow the example of Christ and hold fast to the truth. Be an example of right living and show people the right way to live.

“ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin”( Hebrews 4:15, NLT).

Follow Christ’ s example and look forward to the next 50 years. CMA