SINCERITY, TRUTH, AND HONESTY
As we go through life we have witnessed and experienced countless honest mistakes, we are human; and we are not perfect, but after being blessed and called we cannot stand insincerity. The greatest single roadblock in the preaching of the gospel [God's truth] to the people of our generation is that some God has called profess a godliness which they do not practice.
Sincerity, truth and honesty, along with openness of life, are absolutely essential when called into the Church of God. We are to stand, having a higher spirit in the thinking of our brethren, relatives, neighbors and friends. If in their eyes we are considered Christian, our influence for Christ's ways must be genuine and seen. What was just said goes for our government as well.
Today we are witnessing in the United States of America, Government gone wild! Not setting a good example of being a Christian nation. Our leaders lie, cheat and steal from the people. They have removed God and prayer from all their decision making. Seeing and hearing this action from our government, we will touch on some aspects of sincerity, truth and honesty!
We will start with honesty. What is honesty? How important is honesty? How widespread is honesty among men? I believe it will surprise you to know that the word "honest" appears only one time in the entire "American Standard Version" of the Bible. Among the nearly three-quarter million words in the American Standard Version of the Bible, there is only one place the word "Honest" is found. The one occurrence of the word is in the parable of the sower of seed where Jesus explains that good ground refers to the man of "An honest and good heart." Luke 8:15. Reading from the "American Standard Version Bible" "And that in the good ground, these are such as in an "honest" and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience."
Honesty is a quality that is taught again and again in the Bible. But by some odd circumstance the word happened to be used only once in the "American Standard Version Bible."
Webster defines honesty as "honorable; characterized by integrity; straight forwardness in conduct; in thought and in speech; free from fraud; genuine; fully unadulterated; open; frank; and sincere. Then Webster gives some opposites, "dishonest; fraudulent; false; deceitful; crooked."
Asking again, "What is honesty? How important is it? How widespread is it among men? Honesty is taught on page after page in the scriptures. Verses, like the following do not contain the word "Honest," yet they are talking of honesty. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8). A person does not have to look very closely to find God the Father and Jesus Christ, are in that verse.
A person cannot entertain evil thoughts, and thoughts about doing God's thoughts at the same time. The Bible everywhere teaches that man can chose and control what they think, that is if they don't adopt a defeatist attitude, a losing attitude leads to dishonesty. There are story's laced in God's word of dishonesty. They are there for our example to learn right from wrong.
One such example is in the seventh chapter of Joshua. There we find the story of Achan. Achan, was a member of God's army. He had received instructions along with everybody else that no spoil was to be taken, during the battle at Jericho. Everything that was of value was to be taken and be devoted to the Lord and kept for the use of God.
When the walls at Jericho fell down, Achan saw a beautiful Babylonish garment along with gold and silver. Because of their attraction he carried them away. Notice Achan's answer to Joshua, "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it" (Josh 7:21). Punishment for Achan thievery cost Israel to loose their next battle. That battle was when Joshua and the army marched against Ai. They were defeated because of Achan's sin in the camp. It was after a time, God pointed Achan out as the offender and he and his family were stoned. The eighth of the Ten Commandments has to do with this very thing, "Thou shalt not steal." (Ex. 20:15).
Another area in which dishonesty is a temptation is in the realm of truth, telling the truth! Truth is to be spoken with sincerity. Sincerity and truth means: to be pure, having pure motives, being genuine and with-out guile.
We have heard and read things like, "We are to walk the walk, not just talk the talk." "Action speaks louder than words." "Being a doer of God's word, not a hear only." Walking, acting, and doing, describes a quality, possessed by the "Lord." It also is to characterize the conduct of His called out ones.
Joshua, the successor of Moses, expressed sincerity and truth when speaking to the Israelites before his death. "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in Truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve you the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14-15).
Today you and I have a choice to make as well. Are we going to follow mans ways? Or follow the ways of God? We can read what the Israelites decision was at that time of history. "And Joshua said unto the people, you are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, we are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, the Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey" (Joshua 24:22-24). Three times the people affirmed their allegiance to God. History has proven they did not stick to their promises. We need to be on guard so we don't make the same mistakes by saying one thing, and doing another! Be honest with yourself!
In the fifth chapter of the book of Acts is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They were members of God's Church, well known and liked. They knew the law of giving tithes and offerings before they sold some property. But we are told in scripture they lied about how much of the proceeds they gave to God. Ananias was asked, "How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:4).
They were willing to sell a piece of property in order to give part of the proceeds to the church, yet they lied about how much they sold the property for. Evil greed was in their heart. The Ninth Commandment says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor," which, of course, is lying (Ex. 20:16).
One of the proverbs of Solomon says, "Lying lips are an abomination unto the Lord" (Prov 21:22). The Lord had more to say on this subject. "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44). Lying is a form of dishonesty and it is despised by God. "All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).
Another area in which it is hard to be honest is in regard to ourselves. It is hard to be honest in appraising ourselves. We are tempted to measure ourselves by a generous standard and to bend whatever standard we use in our favor. A man may look at others rather critically, making them the measuring mark in so far as the standards are concerned, yet, when one looks at himself he may be willing to wink at failure, so to live up fully to the standards that is not honest.
One of the things that men must learn is to take the standard of God's word and let it mean what it says. Wherever our lives fail to meet God's standard we must admit to it in our own hearts. It is a rather foolish thing to go through life claiming virtues that we do not have, claiming that we are better than we are, because we are not the final judge, we simply are deceiving ourselves and getting ready for a terrible disappointment at the end of life.
Another prospect of dishonesty is a dishonest representation of oneself to others. How tempted all of us are at times to fall into that pit! In the sixth chapter of Matthew, is written "And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of man" (Matt. 6:5). They wanted to be known as men of prayer, but they were not really men of prayer, but men of vanity. Later, in this same book of Matthew, Jesus adds, "All their works they do to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, rabbi, rabbi. But be not you called rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ; and all you are brethren" (Matt 23: 5 -10). Christ says, "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matt 23: 11-12).
There is no place in the life of God's called for sham! Or show a fraudulent representation of oneself, whether that be in our dress or whether it be in the way one lives or whether it be in our words.
Notice more roots of dishonesty? Out of what does it grow? To a large degree it grows a lack of respect for fellow man-kind. Take, for instance, the man who steals. He says, in effect, "I don't care how hard you work for it; I don't care how important it is to you; I want it and I am going to take it for myself." When a man steals or lies to another person it is because of a low view of him, and a disregard of God. To turn it the other way around, the man who respects God will not steal, will not lie and will not be a hypocrite. We have heard the old saying, "that honesty is the best policy." Honesty is the best policy if you want to build a life that does not have to be sheltered. If you do not want to run from people, you must be honest. But honesty is a lot more than just the best policy. It is a fundamental Christian virtue.
As God's called Christians, we need to struggle constantly to be honest. Not only must we teach it to our children, but we must live it. There is no place for hypocrisy among God's called out ones. Christ ascribes that to the scribes and pharisees. "Woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites [phonys]! for you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (Uncleanness is the third fruit of the works of the flesh). Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity [phony lip service and lawlessness]" (Matt. 23:27-28).
Webster's Dictionary defines hypocrite as: play acting on a stage; faking to be what one is not; a false assumption or appearance of virtue or religion; living a lie; say one thing and do another. Hypocrite in Strong's #5271 and 5272 meaning: to speak or act under a false part; pretend; deceive.
Today what is being entirely overlooked by both Christians and the world at large is the divine design in allowing the evil scum or dross that is composed of all this unrighteousness and lawlessness to rise to the surface in today's society. The impurities in today's civilization such as widespread dis-honesty, deceitfulness, immorality lack of reverence for God and His laws that are rising to the surface for all to see, like dross and scum does, when purged!
Dross is defined as: the scum thrown off from
molten ore or metal, it is the waste matter that forms at the top. To purge means to: make something free of a unwanted substance; clean or purify by separating whatever is impure in metal-urging. How is this done? The ore or metal must be reduced to a liquid state by application of tremendous heat so that the impurities will have an opportunity to rise to the surface as scum, or dross. Removing by skimming this scum, or dross will leave the metal itself free from its impurities.
God designed this procedure in removing impurities from metal just as he will use this procedure to remove evil dishonesty from among His people. The people of Isaiah's time were rebellious and refused to heed their call to righteousness or walk in the path of peace. So God declared what He would do. "And I will turn My hand upon (against) you, and purely purge away the dross, and take away all your tin" (Isa. 1:25). This opening sentence, "I will turn My hand against you" indicates divine judgment through the fires of the tribulation thus bringing about the purging of dross of evil from among His people. The reference to the removal of their tin has an interesting significance. Tin is added to copper to produce hardness! Making it more suited for casting. Tin is less malleable. This verse is tells us the Lord will not only purge the dross from His people but that He will also remove their tin. Tin is symbolic of taking away mans hardness of heart! This hardness of heart today causes men to refuse to heed God's words, His laws, ordinances, statutes and judgments!
Before God can purge away the scum or dross of unrighteousness and cleanse people from all evil, it is going to be essential that they be put through a crucible subjected heat of trials or go through the tribulation, so the evils and impurities will rise to the surface by purging the base traits of character will be removed, leaving only pure righteousness.
World War I and World War II as well as the coming conflict we call World War III that will be Satan's wrath are all part of the process of judgment.
History reveals men have always been disturbed because of their inability to make lasting peace. Noting the Middle East is a good example of what we mean. Man does not realize that Isaiah has already given expression to the reason why man cannot make lasting peace. "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt, [dross and scum] there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isa. 57:20-21).
Where there is a departure from the divine principles of God's laws wicked strife will arise. For the world to have peace it must first put away sin the cause of wicked strife. Only, honest righteousness within, can produce peace without. God's desire is that man will turn from his dishonest evil wicked ways and live.
Ezekiel tells us God has no desire for the wicked to perish. "Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn you, turn you from your evil ways [dishonest ways]; for why will you die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33: 11).
Many think of judgment as destructive punishment but the scriptures show us a twofold nature of the judgment process. "For I am with you, saith the Lord, to save you: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered you, yet will I not make a full end of you: but I will correct you in measure, and will not leave you altogether unpunished" (Jer. 30:11).
The chief end of judgment, then is to reveal and remove the incorrigible from the earth just as the worker removes the scum or dross that has risen to the surface of the molten metal. The same rings true with God's chosen people. We have to set our own house in order, so an influence of sincerity, truth, honesty and good, will be exercised over those around us.
After the dross and scum of dishonest and evil has been purged from our midst we then will be ready to function as the nucleus for God's kingdom. But in the meantime, God's judgments continue and His hand will rest upon mankind until all are compelled to turn to Him. After which He will write His laws in mans hearts, putting them solidly into mans thinking and action.
We will then have a covenant of peace. "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore" (Eze 37:26-28).
God's major purpose after our calling is to school us during our life time which is a testing period, in which we are allowed to make right or wrong choices, as to whether we will serve God or Satan. Those who find themselves in possession of the greatest inheritance of all (the Kingdom of God), will be glad they were "tried" and "purified" as it says in Daniel 12:10. "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; But the wise shall understand."
During our life time the way may seem difficult and the testing almost approaches the limit of human endurance. But let us, never the less, strive to be masters of our human nature and character so that we may not miss our high calling!
We have read the end of the book and know that the great and terrible day of the Lord will be the final event that will bring everlasting peace to this earth!
May God hasten that day to come!
James Russell
Holy Humor
There was a gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the Postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand painted sign..."Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Pastor" said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
People want the front of the bus, the back of the church and the center of attention!
When you carry a Bible, Satan get a headache. When you open it, he collapses.. When he see you reading it he faints.. When he see that you are living what you read, he flees... and when you are about to forward this message... He will try and discourage you!!!
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