What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart! They even mock God and say, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.”
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold. They take bribes to let the wicked go free, and they punish the innocent. (Isaiah 5:18-23 NLT)
It’s a challenge to live with integrity in all areas of our lives. Habits of lying seem embedded in our work places and even the welfare office. Many people believe lying is essential. That's the only way the system works. A talk show moderator recently discussed the character of the leaders of our political parties and his scathing assessment was that, regardless of which political party they represent, they look you in the face and lie because, again, that's the way the system works. The news has been full of stories of the mayor of a major city who has lied about many activities and sought to carry on leading the government of his city as though none of the “shady things” he has done matters. God knows what a burden it is for us when our lives are based on lies. If we’re honest, there’s something deep within us that wants to know what God's plan is because we are not satisfied with how things are. God hears that deep desire in us. God provides a better way. That better way is Jesus, the Saviour who has come to earth who is full of unfailing love, mercy, grace and truth.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son … From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:14, 16 NLT)
These days, preceding Christmas, are a time to allow God to lift the heaviness of a lifestyle of lies from our heart and allow us to enter into the freedom and joy of a life of grace and truth. We couldn't find this new way on our own but thankfully, Jesus has come to lead us to it. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)
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