"A LIE TO DIE FOR?"

Have you ever heard people say, "That's to die for?" They may be talking about an evening dress, a tuxedo, a scrumptious meal, a suped-up car or someone's good looks! Seriously, is there anything in this old world that you would be willing to die for? Human beings can usually think of something to lie for, but to die for. . .?

Zechariah has a statement linking dying and lying. After explaining that idolatry in Israel is to be banished, he adds that false prophets are to be permanently removed. The parents of a false prophet are to eliminate him. "'You must die, because you have told lies in the Lord's name.' When he prophesies, his own parents will stab him," Zechariah 13:3.  On another occasion, when a nameless prophet of God challenged the mighty but wicked King Jeroboam, God told him to declare the prophecy of doom and leave the area. It was a sort of "hit and run" affair. An elderly prophet living there persuaded the younger messenger of bad tidings to tarry in the city to dine with him. The old man claimed that it was a prophecy from the Lord countering what the young man had been told. An ominous statement is recorded in 1 Kings 13:18. It states "But he was lying to him!" It was then the odious task of the old man, while they still sat at table, to break the news to the younger man by way of prophecy that his disobedience was going to cost him his life. In 1 Kings 13:24, a lion ignored his donkey, but killed the young prophet.  Lying and dying go together again!!

In Acts 5:1-10, Ananias cooks up a conspiracy with his wife, Sapphira. They were going to sell a plot of ground. They would pretend they were giving all the proceeds to the Apostles' (church) treasury. Both had an opportunity to state their case individually. Both were caught in the lie they concocted together by the all-seeing eye of the Holy Spirit! They were unsuccessfully trying to live a lie. They were trying to buy a false reputation with a lie. That lie revealed the true nature of their hearts.   Many people today emulate their example. But, they lied and they died!

It is difficult to tell the untarnished truth always. It is easier to extricate ourselves from trouble or embarrassment with an "innocent" white lie, right? WRONG! People lie about their income tax. They lie to a policemen when they are caught breaking the law. They cheat on their mates and cover their tracks (they think) with a lie. They enter contracts with no intention of fulfilling their obligations. After the signing, they seek legal loopholes. Some obtain credit from some unsuspecting victim, and then seek all kinds of ways to beat the other man out of his buck. A lie is a lie is a lie is a lie! And for that you can die. 

When we lie, we are more like Satan than we are like Jesus. The Bible says of Satan that "there is no truth in him...for he is a liar and the father of lies," John 8:44. On the other hand, Jesus said of himself, "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life, no man comes unto the father except by me," John 14:6. Notice  that truth is connected with life and lies are connected with death. If you lie, you set yourself up to die (outside of Christ). See Revelation 21:8 -- "... all liars (not some liars) . . .all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. This is the second death." Let integrity be our crowning glory. If the truth hurts, perhaps it is time to repent and do what's right. 

When Jesus looked down at the sin-sick world, could we guess what He must have thought? "Now, there's a world to die for!" And He did!  We call it Calvary. Since He thought we were worth dying for, let's live for Him without any pretence. Why?  Because lying is connected with dying! See you tonight. Don't miss it, okay? We are dealing with Scenes from Samuel this time! 

Love you all, 

Al--"the Horne of Africa".