Chapter 5: Practice From The Heart

Page 8

You hesitated as you said NO because you realize “in your heart” that you are now lying on top of everything else. Perhaps Revelation 22:15 just

flashed across your mind. You want to serve God and you take His Word very seriously. You certainly don’t want to be considered a “practitioner and lover of lies.” Still, you think, this particular situation must be different in God’s eyes?

The officer then pulls out his Bible because he knows that you claim to be a Christian. He turns quickly to Romans 13 and reminds you that your Bible commands you to tell the truth and to obey the authorities that now rule over you. Your mind thinks: “Now what should I do?”

If you think this sounds like a far-fetched scenario, think again. It has actually happened and only God knows how many times. Yes, you did lie! You chose to attempt to save the lives of the Jews you were hiding. You reasoned correctly that God would not hold this particular lie against you.

You reached the limits of your human understanding. You only knew that you wanted to do what was right for God’s people. In the process, you also found out that you couldn’t be “perfect” on your own in this matter.

Jesus Asks: “So, You Want To Be Perfect?”

Parable Of The Rich Young Ruler!

“Now behold, one came and said to him, ‘Good teacher,

what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ So he said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ ”

“He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and your

mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”