Friday 26 June 2020

I speak the truth

for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. - 1 Timothy 2:7

Poor Paul – it seems like he was always under attack no matter what he said or did or what happened to him. His biggest enemies by far were the religious authorities who accused him of all kinds of wickedness and lying and blasphemies.

Paul had one real defence – to speak the truth and to do it it faithfully and consistently. He had to be the ultimate truth teller because being caught in one lie would have ruined his reputation. He spoke the truth about his apostleship but he also spoke the truth whenever he spoke.

His example of truth telling is something we all should take to heart. Paul had credibility because he was known for telling the truth so people knew they could trust him. No matter what they said about Paul they could not accuse him of being a liar.

How about us? What is our reputation? Do people see us as truth tellers? Are our reputations such that people trust us? We can’t separate the sacred from the secular. We can lie and deceive on secular matters and expect to be trusted in the sacred. Social media has provided a platform for us to do great good or great evil. Are we as concerned about our testimony there as much as in our daily walk?

“I speak the truth’ Paul said – could we say the same?

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