Honesty

You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measurement of weight or capacity. Just balances just weights, a just ephah, a just hin, shall you have: I am the Lord your God [LEV 19:35,36]. A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight [PRO 11:1]. Provide things honest in the sight of all men [ROM 12:17].

There was a time when our society endorsed Biblical standards of honesty, morality and justice. People then violated those standards about as much as people do today, though not so openly, but society used to recognize Biblical standards. This is no longer true. As far as our modern society's ethical and moral standards are concerned, this is a "post-Christian" age. This generation is as totally pagan as the generation of the apostolic church. There is one important difference, however, between the pagan society of the first century Roman world and the pagan society in which we live. That difference is that the first century Roman world did not profess to be Christian, whereas our Western pagan society does claim to be Christian. The vast majority of those claiming to be Christians, and church members at that, have never been born again. They are still children of the Devil rather than children of God. 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 [JOH 8:44].

As a result of this condition converts to Bible Christianity from our pagan society need to learn how God expects His children to live. In addition, Christians who must live and work in a pagan culture need help in applying Biblical standards to the specific problems of daily life. The starting point is the recognition that God's requirement for the Christian in the Bible is absolute honesty and truthfulness in all areas of daily life. The child of God should be as open and transparent in all his human relationships as he of necessity must be in his relationship with God, his Maker. God knows all about us. We cannot hide even our deepest thoughts from Him. God says: Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do [Hebrews 4:13]. Do right though all about you do wrong. What is humanly impossible can be done, by the grace of God, as the Holy Spirit works in us using the Bible and a renewed conscience sensitive to the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God [2CO 7:1].

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This Page Last Updated: 03/15/99 A. Allison Lewis aalewis@christianbeliefs.org