A Whole New Life

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:45 (NIV)

Bobby Jones is considered one of the best golfers in history. I also think he is one of the most honorable players. At the 1925 United States Open, he inadvertently touched his golf ball and assessed himself a one-stroke penalty even though no one else saw him touch the ball. Neither the tournament official, his playing partner nor anyone in the gallery saw it. Many even tried to talk him out of assessing himself that penalty. 

But Bobby Jones would not agree to let it slide. When tournament officials tried to compliment him for his integrity, he said, “You might as well praise me for not breaking into banks. There is only one way to play this game.” Ultimately, he lost the Open by that one stroke.

Jones could have won his fourteenth major, but he would have lost his integrity. 

You might be wondering where Bobby Jones got the strength and the courage to do the right thing, even under pressure.

In Luke chapter six, Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, revealing the heart of a blessed life. And in today’s verse, Jesus clarifies that your words and behavior originate in your heart. 

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:45 (NIV)

He gives you His Holy Spirit to help you live with integrity. Webster’s Dictionary defines integrity as “the quality or state of being complete,” and uses wholeness as a synonym. God gives you a whole new heart so you can live a whole new life. 

With your new, whole heart you can offer your life in service to God and others wholeheartedly. Your life is integrated. That means you are set free from cleaning up your act on the outside but living a lie on the inside. Your words and actions match as you store God’s Word in your heart. From within, you will have thoughts and actions of purity. 

Come to God and allow His goodness to go to the very bottom of your heart, making you whole and holy. As you follow Jesus and trust His Word each day, you will bring up thoughts and actions of integrity and goodness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your goodness and that You have given me Your Holy Spirit to help me live a life of integrity. Keep my thoughts and actions aligned with Your Word and Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.