Arkansas State press., 1947-08-22
EDITORS NOTE. Lesson subjects
and Scripture texts selected and copy
Hghfed BY international Council OF Re-
igious Education: used by permission.
by WILLIAM CULBERTsON. D. D.
OF The Needy Bible Institute, Chicago

everyday contacts, Is recognized by
al who have given any attention to
what 1t has to say.
The high ethical standard de.
manded by the Word Of God is an.
other evidence Of its divine origin.
We're nfen to evolve a moral stand
ard of their own, it is quite evident
that that standard would not be
very much higher than their own
attachments; in fact. the probability
II that the standard would be lower
than the attainment of some. How
ever, the Bible allows for no devia.
ton from the standard.
We who by nature are the chill
dren Of wrath have undoubtedly
failed when we measure our lives
against Gods pattern. How need
full IL Gods work Of providing
and efiecting salvation! Those
who have been born Of God are
then confronted with living = life
that meets the divine standard.
I. A Plea for Honesty tProv. $50.
LOW good 1t is when the Christian
- has reputation for integrity in
al his dealings. However, that out
ward manifestation is possible only
II there is inward reality. There
fore. we move in order Of emphasis
10 the greater truth at the conclu-
sion Of the verse. Truth Is to be
written upon the tablet Of the heart.
Here II the plea for heart hon.
esty. II Is not enough by plausible
argument or by feigned conduct
- appear honest before men. It
b necessary rather to have mo-
tives so sincere, to have . heart
20 honest, that all we do and say
will reflect . character that Is
honorable.
It is out Of the fullness Of the
heart that man speaketh. As the
heart is, so is the man. Let us give
attention therefore to this word
from God.
II. A Factual Presentation Of
Honesty prov. l1:1, 8; 12:l7-22;
14:5D.
THESE passages Of Scripture
= bring TO our attention the conse-
Quences Of dishonesty as well as the
rewards of honesty.
For example, we know that dis
honesty is an abomination to God
.tProv ll:1; 12:22; that perversity
Of heart has its own reward, in that
the perpetrator of evil is sooner or
later ensnared in his own sin prov.
ll:0; that lying tongue may be
victorious. but that victory is short
lived prov. 12:lO.
On the other hand, the rewards
Of honesty are also made appar-
ent. for we are told that probity
of character Is Gods delight
prov. 11:1; 12:22); that the very
integrity Of the upright shall be a
guide TO them prov. 1873; that
blessings TO others flow from the
tongue Of the wise prov. 1918;
and that the lip of truth shall be
established forever prov. 1e:19).
III. God and the Life Of Honesty
prov. 1910, ~.
THE reference here to the an.
cient landmark has to do with
the removal Of such evidences as
would prove the claim of individ.
uals to certain property.
We are to respect the rights Of
others. Honesty involves more
Than correctness Of speech; IL i'm
Plies rightncss Of life. No subtlety
Of reasoning can lead us 10 the
conclusion that we may have
Gods approval n by unfair
means we take that which be.
longs 10 another.
Particular attention is given TO
The fact that we are 10 have regard
Tor the fatheriess. The Word Of God
constantly gives special attention to
The fatheriess and the widows. II
would seem that God will particu.
larry mark as amiss any unfair ad.
vantage taken over these individ.
uals. In fact. this text stresses that
God as their Redeemer will plead
their cause against anyone taking
advantage Of them. OF course, there
can be only one result when God
opposes. and that is disaster to the
individual who occasions his wrath.
Perhaps II IL that very sense Of
heIplessness that makes the ia
0erless depend upon him. II Is
certain that until we feel our need
- God, we shall 60 on In our self.
sufaciency without him. When our
ewn lack Of strength becomes ap-
I parent, then u Ii we turn 10 him.
asd then II h that he Is willing 10
- our Reaeemer.
Let US dare 10 face the impllea.
don Of these texts. Unless we com.
mend our God 10 men by our up.
right lives. we shall have TO suffer
The consequences Of our dishonesty
IN divine displeasure.
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