The Honest Christian (Feb 15)

This past week, there was a special day that many celebrated to some extent. That day, of course, was Lincoln's 200^th birthday. I think that if we were to think of words to describe Lincoln, one thing that may come to mind is honesty. I think that is the first thing that came to my mind, as I remember the nickname “Honest Abe” from back in my school days. Three days ago, the nation honored Honest Abe; today I would like to discuss the honest Christian.

Psalm 15:1-3

1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.

The question is asked, “Who will abide with God in the holy place?” The answer is given: the one who walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart—the honest Christian. I'm sure there are literally thousands of examples that I could give where Christians are shown to be honest or dishonest. Possibly the most obvious example would be when people tell lies. If you often lie or are deceptive in other parts of your life, then it's pretty obvious that you lack honesty and would have a hard time reconciling that with what we've already seen about the honest Christian and he who dwells with God. But today, I want to look at a few other examples of things that Christians say that turn out to be lies.

- You say you know God.

But, you don't obey his commands. You do not know Him. You lie and are not an honest Christian.

1 John 2:3-6

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

- You say you love God.

But, you don't have love for others. You do not love Him. You lie and are not an honest Christian.

1 John 4:20-21

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

- You say you heard a word from the Lord.

But, you have added to the word, twisted its meaning, or taken it out of context to justify your own thinking. You have made the truth a lie and are not an honest Christian.

Proverbs 30:5-6

5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

- You say that you want to know God and you want to live for Him.

But, you don't really mean it in your heart. You say these things to make yourself feel better or to have a better reputation before other Christians. But you speak of desires that are not really in your heart. You lie before God and are not an honest Christian.

We could look at many, many more examples, but this should suffice for now. Perhaps some of them described lies that you have in your heart. Maybe you didn't lie on purpose. Maybe you think you know God, and say so, but you are not obedient. Maybe you think you love God, and say so, but do not have love for someone else. Maybe you think you want to know God and live for Him, and say so often and with much fervor, but you just really don't mean the words—you're not really willing to let go of all of the other things. Maybe you thought you were telling the truth in all of these things...but you're just being dishonest with yourself, with others, and with God. Don't fool yourself any longer. Allow God to show you the areas of dishonesty in your heart today. It's time to deal with those things and come to God for forgiveness. It's a dangerous place to be lying to God. Do you really think that you can pull one over on Him? Examine your heart. Are you one righteous before God, to dwell in His holy place? Are you really a Christian in your heart? Honestly?

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.