The ninth commandment, found in Exodus 20 v 16 states
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
What is immediately interesting is that the command is set in the context of community. Don’t lie about your neighbor, rather than simply ‘Don’t lie’. Are we to believe that lying in other contexts is acceptable? Clearly not!!
There is a principle at work here. Isaiah 30 v 18
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Isaiah knew this fundamental truth about God. Any perversion or distortion of this is to undermine the very character of God.
It is impossible to lie without effecting someone else. Consider this for a moment.
For many telling lies becomes a way of life, simply a way to get out of trouble or prompt action in others. Lies fall into the more general category of unrighteousness, which also flies in the face of God’s revealed righteousness.
Lies are often spoken to hide our sins or mistakes, yet to mask one wrong with another is simply nonsensical.
The enemy is described in John 8 v 44 as ‘the father of lies’. To reject honestly is to embrace not only lies but the one from whom all lies proceed.
Solomon knew the great value of honesty.
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Paul helps us to apply all this into the context of life together.
Ephesians 4 v 15
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Honesty and love go hand in hand. Together the Kingdom of God advances.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4 1-6
The gospel, when preached properly, attracts people from all walks of life. It crosses national and cultural boarders with ease, it is unhindered by economic downturns or tremendous wealth. It, therefore, causes us, who are deeply influenced by all these things, real and pressing problems.
We like people who are ‘like us’, we are naturally suspicious of people who are not ‘like us’. In my experience the band of people we might consider to actually be ‘like us’, is very narrow indeed.
Jesus had no problem loving and leading all kinds of diverse characters. Think, for a moment, about His disciples. Matthew was a tax collector, Simon was a zealot. These two groups not only wouldn’t have mixed, they hated each other, passionately. Yet there they are both following Jesus.
Paul recognises this and calls on Christians to be united.
be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit
Ephesians 4 v 3
The NIV renders this verse ‘make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit’
We are also given instructions as to how this might be achieved.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love
Ephesians 4 v 1
To maintain unity in the midst of diversity what is required is that we clothe ourselves with humility and gentleness. We go back to our own salvation to find what is required in our relationship with others.
- How were you received by Jesus?
- What was given that you might be included in Jesus great victory?
- He has made a family of you who were is enemies.
- He chooses to remember your sins no more.
- He redeems your foolishness and rewards you for His faithfulness.
Go and do the same – unity will follow you wherever you go.
