Walter Martin Quote

I came across this statement about integrity in a book I'm reading titled The Kingdom of the Occult by Walter Martin, Jill martin Rische, and Kurt Van Gorden.  The final chapter is called, "Evangelism:  Reaching the hearts of People."  It is an excellent conclusion to an informative book.  We live in a day where all kinds of things are peddled for profit and gain.  A couple things which should never be for sale are the Gospel or a man's integrity.  After emphasising the need to speak when the situation presents itself instead of backing down because the Gospel truth might not be received, Dr. Martin writes this:

Do not change your thoughts to meet anyone else's thoughts or you will lose your integrity.  What price will you pay for that integrity?  You have a right to your own thoughts and the expression of them.  Never change what you said under pressure or you will lose you, and that is the only thing you have.  Your words are you, unless they are dollar signs.  If you are writing for dollar signs, you do not have any place in the defense of the faith." - Walter Martin (The Kingdom of the Occult, pg. 674)

As Christians, integrity is of paramount importance.  Our walk must match our talk or we lose all credibility.  God has committed to men the task of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world, and we are called to be faithful.  We are called to unabashedly, without reservation or apology, speak the truth in love even as Jesus our Messiah does.  Is it politically or culturally correct to claim that there is absolute right and wrong?  No.  Is it popular to say you are convinced that the only way to forgiveness and eternal salvation is through Jesus Christ who rose from the dead?  No!  But as God is my witness it is true, and therefore must be said.  We must hold fast to our integrity as Job, who when tempted to curse God held true his confession and would not charge God with wrong.  It is easier to curse than bless, isn't it?  Let us be strong in the LORD and keep our integrity.