Romans 13:13, Let Us Walk Honestly
Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day…
To be honest is to reject that which is false. The LORD hates falsehood and delights in truthfulness for the God of the Bible is a God of Truth, in Him is no lie (Hebrews 6:18). Truthfulness is the manifestation of God’s character. An honest Christian is a true reflection of the God he/she professes to follow. An honest man exemplifies human nature in its highest forms, for men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong. Men of genuine excellence in every station of life, are men of industry, of integrity, of godly principle, of sterling honesty of purpose. Although genius always commands admiration, but character most secures respect. [Character Sketches for Boys and Girls by Henry Davenport Northrop]
There is the true story of a gentleman jumping from a bus in the city of New York, dropped his pocket-book, and had gone some distance before he discovered his loss; then hastily returning, inquired of every passenger whom he met, if a pocket-book had been seen. Finally, meeting a little girl ten years old, to whom he made the same inquiry, she asked: ‘What kind of a pocket-book?’ ‘Is this it?’ ‘Yes, that is mine; come into this store with me.’ They entered, he opened the book, counted the notes, and examined the papers. ‘They are all right,’ said he; ‘Had they fallen into other hands, I might never have seen them again. Take, then, my little girl, this note of a thousand dollars, as a reward for your honesty, and a lesson to me to be more careful in future.’ ‘No’, said the girl, ‘I cannot take it. I have been taught at Sunday school not to keep what is not mine, and my parents would not be pleased if I took the note home; they might suppose I had stolen it.’ ‘Well, then, my girl, show me where your parents live.’ The girl took him to a humble place in an obscure street, rude but cleanly. He informed the parents of the case. They told him their child had acted correctly.
The girl’s family was poor, it was true, but their pastor had always told them not to set their hearts on rich gifts. The gentlemen told them they must take it, and he was convinced they would make a good use of it, from the principle they had professed. The pious parents then blessed their benefactor. They paid their debts, which had disturbed their peace, and the benevolent giver furnished the husband and father employment in his occupation as a carpenter, enabling him to rear an industrious family in comparative happiness. This little girl became the wife of a respectable tradesman of New York, and had reason to rejoice that she was taught aright in early life and practiced what she learned.
May the believer live an honest life before God and men. Amen.