I was 16, an average high school junior in 1964. I did not have the $17 it cost, so I asked for and received an advance from my boss, the Christian owner of an office supply store. I made $.70 an hour and I worked an unpaid 25 hours to repay the advance. But, like all my classmates, I wanted a senior class ring. I wore the ring routinely until it was unwise to do so in a later job: a hydraulic / airframes mechanic for KC-130F Hercules aerial refuellers flown by the USMC’s 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (There were too many tight places where a ring might get caught).
About eight or ten years later, with the ring now seldom worn, I chose to have it melted and made into a gold pendant for Joyce. Yes, I once was a romantic. Before it was transformed, I remember reflecting for a final time on an inscription on the ring. “Diligence Integrity Citizenship” surrounded the fake topaz stone. In 1964, I hardly knew what these words meant. I suspect that Jostens, the ring’s manufacturer, didn’t have spiritual ideas in mind when it was designed. Sixty-one years later, these three words mean more to me.
They are certainly not ideas foreign to the Bible. Solomon tells us diligence is a cure for laziness (Proverbs 12:27). Paul urges those who lead to do so with a strong work ethic, not to be “lagging in diligence” (Romans 12:8, 11). In our service to God, we should be eager, earnest and even “gung-ho” (a term popularized by a USMC training officer). Integrity is discussed many times in the Bible. Notably, it’s contrasted with perversity at Proverbs 11:3. God described Job as “hold[ing] fast to his integrity” (Job 2:3). Paul instructed Titus in all things to “be a pattern of good works [and] in doctrine [show] integrity” (Titus 2:7). Citizenship? Well, it’s usually recalled as in the idea of our dual citizenship. Yes, as citizens of our community and country, we must submit to authorities (Romans 13:1-5). But we must never forget our most important citizenship lies in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Diligence – Does it describe the quality of our daily service to God (Hebrews 6:10-12)? Integrity – Is every interaction with everyone we encounter marked by exemplary character, as in “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23)? Citizenship – We are the family of God, “fellow citizens . . . and members of the household of God,” with Jesus as our Lord (Ephesians 2:19). He paid the price that bought our citizenship. We must not forget this for even a moment as we serve with diligence and become well known for our integrity. There’s always room for improvement.
-Roger Johnson
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