Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HONEST (05/31/18)
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TITLE: Imagine the Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Hudson
06/07/18 -
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God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Can you imagine? It is impossible for God to lie, yet we, who are made in His image, probably tell some form of a little white lie on a daily basis. The serpent lied to Eve in the Garden, telling her that “Surely you will not die” if she took fruit from the tree that God deemed out of bounds. I know we all have a sin nature, but this seems so important, and yet at times lying comes to us so naturally, that we sugar coat why we do it, dismissing the fact that it is a true sin.
Jesus tells us plainly that the truth will set us free. For as long as I can remember from when I became a Christian, I have been seeking for the truth. I understand what Jesus means, as He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and I am comforted in this truth. But as we all know, this life is hard, and all of us carry baggage from our childhood and our past mistakes.
The truth I’m speaking of is from within, and in relationships with those around me. I’ve spent years trying to figure out why I do the things I do. Why do I feel a certain way in response to events that occur in my life? I’m happy to say that many answers have been found, and I know I’m on the right path to growing closer to Jesus. I know I have a long way to go yet, but I’m confident I will reach the ultimate goal of Heaven itself.
But what about those relationships? I can’t control what other people say or do, but I will continue to seek the truth in my daily walk. If I know someone is lying to me, I call them on it. If I see someone lying to another person at work, or even at church, whether it is to save face or to put someone off, if even temporarily, I immediately lose respect for that person. True character is defined by a person’s ability to be honest.
Even with family and friends, lying seems to be an accepted part of life. What about those times when someone asks us if we like their new dress, but we don’t? My favorite is how we all learn there is apparently another child in the house when we ask, “Who broke this plate?” All of a sudden, we hear three different voices respond with “Not Me”! ‘Not Me’ broke the plate, but obviously, one of the other three kiddos is lying. We have to be ‘taught’ not to lie from an early age, because it comes so naturally. I have literally watched my husband fall asleep while driving then say his name to wake him up. He will insist that it never happened and gets aggravated with me for saying that it did. Whether or not his response is a lie or just his pride being hurt, both are a sin aren’t they?
In a court of law, we are told to tell the whole truth, so help us, God. Are the attorneys to make that same pledge? What if their job is to defend a person they know to be guilty? I couldn’t live with myself. What if leaders of countries talked openly and honestly with one another? What if couples who are married could communicate honestly without fear of rejection? What if there were true consequences to those who lie, steal and cheat to get ahead?
I can’t help but think about John Lennon’s song, ‘Imagine’. It conveys much of what I’m trying to say here, with the exception of his lines, “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky.” I can’t imagine life without the promise of Heaven. It is what keeps me moving forward and seeking the truth, because one day I really will be free.
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