”Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” | 1 Timothy 1: 5

Several times when I was growing up and had done something I was not supposed to have done or had failed to do something I was supposed to have done, and was trying to keep it hidden, my mom (whom I often thought was a mind reader!) would remind me of that old adage, “Honesty is always the best policy.”

And she was right.

In the kingdom of God, however, honesty is not merely the best policy, honesty is the only policy!

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36: 26)

There is no place in the kingdom of God for pretense, deceitfulness, or hypocrisy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5: 8)

God gives those whom He saves a new heart, an honest heart. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8: 15)

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

Having been given a saving knowledge of God, the saints know this: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4: 12, 13)

“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17: 2, 3)

They are conscious of the fact that their God knows their words before they speak them and their thoughts before they come to mind.

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139: 1-4)

Who would dare pretend or practice hypocrisy before such a God?

God’s people are honest before their God and with each other.

They are God-conscious people, and are not moved by the smiles or frowns of the world.

They are not trying to impress men, but seeking to please God. And “honesty is the only policy!”

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “Things That God’s People Know”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 3 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a