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What is a lie? Perhaps I should begin with some examples that do not constitute deceit. When unbeknown to himself a student gives the wrong answer on a test, this is an error rather than a lie. If you converse on personal plans or itinerary for the day but just happen to change your mind and do something else, or become sidetracked, this does not constitute a lie. If by faulty memory or human error you are diverted from accuracy in any case, this does not constitute a lie. Morally, it is better to be an honest failure than an accomplished liar. Any one who helps another person in a way that serves to correct the error (especially concerning any matter of importance) is enriching rather than condemning the individual as a liar or otherwise. God is full of grace. God is the righteous teacher of all who seek His guidance through The Word.
Now. What is a lie? Imposing with purposeful intent to deceive, whether verbal or implied. Saying one thing but meaning another. Making assurances for reliance on actions with no intent to follow through. At this point one might be wondering what my excuse is, writing on such a simplistic matter. I don't know why. But, the Apostle Paul once wrote that even procrastinating assurances in matters of our own future intentions without faith in God is in itself evil. Can that be true? even if the intention in and of itself is perceived as an acceptable pursuit. Let's reflect on what is written in the Gospel for a moment here (scriptural references provided are not verbatim to all translations).
James 4:12-17. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? For example, those who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into a certain city and continue there a year, and buy and sell and obtain profits. Whereas, you do not even know what will transpire tomorrow. What is your life? It's like a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away. For that alone you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now you relish in self boasting with delight. All such rejoicing is evil. Therefore, to he who knows how to do good, but does something other than good, to him it is sin.
Now. What is the truth? Better I should ask, Who is the truth? Jesus Christ, God's living Word. He is the Truth. Jesus once said, 'Judge not, lest you be judged.' I am relatively certain this saying wasn't intended to persuade us from adherence to God's judgment, but to dissuade us from passing judgment on others through our own assumptions. The fact is, every decision we make concerning even the simplest of matters is derivative of judgment. I judge that you should not cross the street without first looking both ways. By saying that, Could I possibly make looking both ways while standing on the curbside a religious act? I'm afraid that's not an original saying created by me, but the answer is yes. Not that we should condemn the blind for requiring a seeing eye dog to accomplish his daily ritual. But, if your righteousness does not exceed the righteousness of that seeing eye dog, you might be a few steps behind God's intention for brotherly advisement. There are probably as many religions in the world as there are persuasions to incite our ability to think and react. The word "Religion" may be loosely referred to as any specific code of ethics, values, or any matter relating to the belief of the individual or group in any case.
God knows who He is, and requires no leap of faith in Himself to solidify the wisdom He already possesses. So then, Why does God require us to have faith in Him in order to be saved? Surely it's not that He needs us to guide, counsel, lead, or keep Him safe under the shadow of death. God is the everlasting creator of the universe. He doesn't need us! We need Him. God wants us to love one another. Since when does God's love for us and His will that we love one another imply non-reliance on the intended result to incorporate the unity that is meant to appropriate the meaning the word itself? How humble God is, to have solidified us through the faith, guidance, and sacrifice of His Son for no other cause than to save us. God has laid before us both life and death, and has given us the freedom to choose. Life or Death? Truth or Lies? The choices are the same. God is both the originator and reciprocal of Life through Jesus Christ. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no division existent within the Triune.
Jesus said that God judges according to what one does possess, and not according to what one lacks. God is equal in His decisions toward all people, and no respecter of who is who in the world when it comes to judgment. Here are some more references from the Word of God.
St. John 15:22. If I had not come and spoken to them, their sin would not be manifested; but now they have no cloak for their sin.
St. Matthew 6:14-15. If you forgive others their trespasses, God will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others of their trespasses, neither will God forgive you of your trespasses.
St. John 1: 6-10. If we say that we are behaving according to our association with God while doing things that oppose Him, we are lying and not walking in the truth. But if we behave according to the truth, even as He is the Truth, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have never sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His Word is not in us.
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