As we study the “art of loving” each month this year, we observe in 1 Corinthians 13:6 that “love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” This means that “loving hearts” are committed to honesty. They have integrity. They can be depended on to do what they have promised.
GOD IS TRUTH:
Among the many “I am” statements Jesus made is the one in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” When Jesus made that statement, He affirmed Himself to be deity, to be equal in essence with Jehovah God. No human being can make that statement. He clearly set Himself equal with God…
In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses said of God, “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness (or truth) and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.”
Again, in Numbers 23:19, Moses said of God, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
God should not lie; indeed, God cannot lie Paul tells us in Titus 1:2 and in Hebrews 6:18, the writer says it is “impossible” for God to lie.
If we are to be like God, then we cannot lie. We must be truthful. We must be honest. We must be dependable. Toward everyone – not just our family and friends.
The temptation is strong to be dishonest, especially when we find ourselves backed into the corner. When we lived in Romania, it was common to sign two contracts when you rented or bought an apartment or house. One contract contained the real amount you paid and the second contract was for a smaller amount, the amount that the owner would use to pay his taxes. This was dishonest. But, it was so prevalent that even our lawyer told us to sign the second contract. Rachel and I paid $60 a month more in rent when we rented our apartment so we would not have to sign that second contract – in effect, paying our landlord’s taxes for him.
But he fussed every 6 months, every time we had to sign a new contract. When we finally decided to buy an apartment so we could stop that hassle, we were at the lawyer’s office and that second contract was set in front of me. On one hand, I told myself – “This will be the last time we have to deal with this second contract” On the other hand, I also knew it was dishonest. Because we humans find it easy to rationalize our behavior, I signed that second contract! I knew it was wrong but I reasoned that I would not have to do it again. I don’t remember why, but we had to go back to the lawyer’s office the next day. That evening, Rachel pointed out to me – That wasn’t right. And I knew it. So, the next day when we want back, I told the lawyer that we could not send that contract. I had done something wrong. The lawyer said, “But everyone does it and no one will know!” By which he mean the government would not know. But I told him, “God will know.”
Satan had tempted me and he had succeeded for a short time. But if we’re going to be honest people, we’ve got to be honest all the time, in every situation. That’s the art of loving. Love rejoices in truth.
When Rachel was a little girl, she took an eraser from the store. In the parking lot, when her dad saw what she had done, he made her go back into the store and confess what she had done and give it back. It’s those types of decisions parents have to make if they want their children to grow up to be people of integrity.
Love always rejoices in truth. And honesty. And integrity
The Art of Loving: Drawn to Truth
1 Corinthians 13:6
As we study the “art of loving” each month this year, we observe in 1 Corinthians 13:6 that “love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” This means that “loving hearts” are committed to honesty. They have integrity. They can be depended on to do what they have promised.
GOD IS TRUTH:
Among the many “I am” statements Jesus made is the one in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” When Jesus made that statement, He affirmed Himself to be deity, to be equal in essence with Jehovah God. No human being can make that statement. He clearly set Himself equal with God…
In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses said of God, “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness (or truth) and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.”
Again, in Numbers 23:19, Moses said of God, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
God should not lie; indeed, God cannot lie Paul tells us in Titus 1:2 and in Hebrews 6:18, the writer says it is “impossible” for God to lie.
If we are to be like God, then we cannot lie. We must be truthful. We must be honest. We must be dependable. Toward everyone – not just our family and friends.
The temptation is strong to be dishonest, especially when we find ourselves backed into the corner. When we lived in Romania, it was common to sign two contracts when you rented or bought an apartment or house. One contract contained the real amount you paid and the second contract was for a smaller amount, the amount that the owner would use to pay his taxes. This was dishonest. But, it was so prevalent that even our lawyer told us to sign the second contract. Rachel and I paid $60 a month more in rent when we rented our apartment so we would not have to sign that second contract – in effect, paying our landlord’s taxes for him.
But he fussed every 6 months, every time we had to sign a new contract. When we finally decided to buy an apartment so we could stop that hassle, we were at the lawyer’s office and that second contract was set in front of me. On one hand, I told myself – “This will be the last time we have to deal with this second contract” On the other hand, I also knew it was dishonest. Because we humans find it easy to rationalize our behavior, I signed that second contract! I knew it was wrong but I reasoned that I would not have to do it again. I don’t remember why, but we had to go back to the lawyer’s office the next day. That evening, Rachel pointed out to me – That wasn’t right. And I knew it. So, the next day when we want back, I told the lawyer that we could not send that contract. I had done something wrong. The lawyer said, “But everyone does it and no one will know!” By which he mean the government would not know. But I told him, “God will know.”
Satan had tempted me and he had succeeded for a short time. But if we’re going to be honest people, we’ve got to be honest all the time, in every situation. That’s the art of loving. Love rejoices in truth.
When Rachel was a little girl, she took an eraser from the store. In the parking lot, when her dad saw what she had done, he made her go back into the store and confess what she had done and give it back. It’s those types of decisions parents have to make if they want their children to grow up to be people of integrity.
Love always rejoices in truth. And honesty. And integrity.
Paul Holland
