Lying

[James] I encountered a strange thing this morning when a woman came in to have her membership adjusted. Essentially she was trying to add her daughter on to her health club membership. She began giving me a story about her history with us that would essentially qualify her for a savings of about $75. Because we keep such good records of our members, I always pull up their account along with payment history and all. What I found upon reviewing her profile is that she was flat out lying...

At the point when I realized that she was lying I could almost not look her in the eye. I guess you just don't encounter "adults" full on lying to you in the church setting, which I have been accustom to.

It made me ask myself about my own honesty and integrity in life and in the market place. I can't deny that I too am looking for ways to cut corners and save a buck, but what became so apparent through my experience is that our lives are testimonies; our actions speak of not what we do, but who we are. It's a character issue.

Sure we defend ourselves and justify ourselves, "well it's a corrupt company" or "I didn't vote for him anyway so I don't have to pay those taxes". I think this single principle is often times the hardest to live out as Christian. To be honest and consistent even when we assume no one is watching or assuming that we can get away with it without anyone noticing. It is the hardest thing to be honest and consistent when we feel justified and/or wronged. I can't imagine how 1 Peter 2:18 must have read for some slaves throughout the centuries...

"You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you--not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel."

I mean why didn't Peter just flat out say, "SLAVERY IS WRONG"?

Maybe...just maybe... The Spirit knew that injustices were present and coming and the key to The Kingdom is not in principle and policies, but the condition of the heart. Submitting to seemingly ungodly authority is not fun. It is not easy. It is not even fair.

   ¹ "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
       my chosen one in whom I delight;
       I will put my Spirit on him
       and he will bring justice to the nations.
 ² He will not shout or cry out,
       or raise his voice in the streets.
 ³ A bruised reed he will not break,
       and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
       In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 

                                         -Isaiah 42:1-3