Thought of the Day !!

     Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

     Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”  

                                                                              Acts 5:1-4 (NIV)

I came across this scripture this morning as I was reading from Victorious Living by E. Stanley Jones.  Jones pointed out that one test of a person's character is whether or not he/she is willing to lie.  Early Christians, facing horrible death, could often get off the hook with a small lie.  But they would choose to die rather than lie.

How easy it is today to stretch the truth just a little so that we can get out point across or sway another's opinion in our direction.  We point at politicians and claim they lie to us.  But how often have we done the same?  Is it okay to say a little white lie?  Is it okay if "no one really gets hurt"?  Is it okay if we never get caught?

Maybe instead of these questions, we should be asking, "Has God ever lied?" or "Has He ever asked us to lie?"  Jesus is the Way, the Life and the "Truth". (John 14:6)  There is no deceit in truth.  And truth will  prevail in the end.

Let your word be your bond so that the Truth will live in you.

In the love of Christ,
greg