Walking Uprightly: A Guide to Christian Integrity and Witness
Baxter's Directory
Thank you for taking the time to dive into Richard Baxter’s important teachings on living an upright life. This study is designed to inspire a biblical understanding of uprightness - both inward and outward - as a mark of faithfulness to God. Feel free to share this study with others who may benefit from these insights, and be encouraged to join our community for ongoing resources.
Living Upright
Richard Baxter, one of the great Puritan thinkers, was deeply committed to the idea of uprightness as essential for a truly Christian life. In his view, an upright life was not just about outer morality but about a heart rightly aligned with God’s will. Baxter begins his teaching by referencing the wisdom of King Solomon: “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.” This wisdom underscores the Christian conviction that uprightness provides a spiritual “sure footing,” allowing believers to navigate life confidently, rooted in God’s truth. To be “upright,” as Baxter explains, means both to avoid hypocrisy and to cultivate genuine righteousness in thought, word, and action.
For Baxter, uprightness begins with what he calls “sincerity” - a heart opposed to the sin and deceit that permeate the fallen world. It is this sincerity that acts as a foundation for what he calls “perfection,” the highest degree of integrity and godliness that Christians should aspire to. The biblical standard for uprightness is modeled by men like Job, whose “integrity” made him pleasing to God (Job 1:8). Baxter’s call to “walk uprightly” challenges us to seek a holiness that transcends appearances, aiming for a life that reflects God’s own righteousness (Psalm 11:7).
The Fruits of Uprightness
The blessings of an upright heart and life, according to Baxter, should inspire every believer to love and pursue uprightness. One of the greatest blessings he identifies is “assurance of salvation” - that inner confidence that our lives are pleasing to God. This assurance comes not from perfection in our actions but from the Spirit’s work within, drawing us toward godliness and providing evidence of our union with Christ. As the psalmist proclaims, “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” (Psalm 11:7). An upright heart seeks God’s approval over human validation.
Baxter also teaches that uprightness serves as a defense, shielding the believer from the snares of temptation and deceit. When a person lives with integrity, they need not worry about shifting allegiances or hidden sins. Their life is open and transparent before God, providing spiritual protection and stability. Proverbs reminds us, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity” (Proverbs 2:7). This assurance and protection are invaluable blessings that uphold believers amid life’s trials.
Uprightness as Evidence of God’s Grace
Baxter stresses that an upright life is a “fruit of the Spirit of grace,” marking a person as part of Christ’s body. Uprightness reflects the new nature given through salvation, setting Christians apart in a world marred by sin. Just as God is upright and perfect, so he calls his people to embody his character in their lives. “God made man upright,” Baxter reminds us, echoing Ecclesiastes 7:29, and uprightness is thus both a return to God’s original design and a sign of his redeeming work in us.
This connection between God’s character and our calling has practical implications for how we live daily. Christians are to be both sincere in faith and committed to righteous action, so that, as Paul writes, they may be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Philippians 2:15). For Baxter, uprightness is therefore not optional but essential - a sign that one’s faith is genuine and rooted in God’s transforming grace.
Cultivating an Upright Life
To foster uprightness, Baxter offers practical rules. First, he encourages believers to examine their motives, ensuring that all actions spring from a heart set on pleasing God alone. This kind of self-examination guards against the hypocrisy that so easily creeps into religious life. Second, Baxter counsels believers to avoid “crooked” practices - any actions that compromise integrity or deviate from God’s standards. “The Lord knows the way of the righteous,” Psalm 1:6 tells us, affirming that God’s guidance is with those who earnestly pursue his will.
Additionally, Baxter emphasizes the importance of perseverance in righteousness. Uprightness is not a momentary achievement but a lifelong pursuit that requires God’s grace. Believers are called to steadfastness, holding fast to God’s truth even when it is inconvenient or costly. Such perseverance not only strengthens one’s own faith but serves as a testimony to the world, revealing the steadfastness of God’s love and truth.
Key Principles
1. Assurance through Integrity: Living uprightly provides the blessing of assurance and stability in one’s faith (Psalm 11:7).
2. Reflecting God’s Character: Uprightness is a fruit of the Spirit, reflecting the transformation God works in believers (Philippians 2:15).
3. Enduring in Truth: True uprightness requires perseverance, trusting that God’s guidance sustains those who remain faithful to Him (Psalm 1:6).
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
1. How does integrity provide assurance in your walk with God?
2. In what ways does society challenge Christians to compromise uprightness?
3. How can you pursue sincerity and avoid hypocrisy in your own life?
4. What blessings do you experience from walking uprightly?
5. How do upright actions serve as a witness to non-believers?
6. Are there any areas in your life where “crooked” practices have crept in?
7. How does God’s character inspire your own pursuit of uprightness?
8. What practical steps can help you avoid deceit in your actions?
9. In what ways can you encourage others toward uprightness?
10. How can God’s grace strengthen your commitment to righteous living?
Action Steps
1. Daily Self-Examination: Spend a few minutes each day in prayer, asking God to reveal any areas in need of alignment with his will.
2. Accountability Partner: Find a trusted Christian friend or mentor who can encourage and support you in your journey toward uprightness.
3. Practice Integrity in Small Things: Commit to honesty and integrity in even minor decisions, as these build the foundation for a fully upright life.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts seeking to walk uprightly, desiring to reflect your righteousness in all that we do. Grant us the sincerity and integrity that flow from your Spirit, and guide us away from any crooked path that leads from your truth. May our lives bear witness to your holiness, and may our commitment to uprightness bring glory to your name. Strengthen us to stand firm in a world often marked by compromise, so that we may honor you in every thought, word, and action. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Thank you for reading and engaging with these insights on upright living. Please consider sharing this post with others who may benefit from its message and remember to subscribe for weekly content to enrich your walk with God. Additional resources, devotionals, and Bible studies are available - just click here: Walking Points.