Huntington Church of Christ

The apostle John is best known as the writer of "love". In his gospel and epistles there are many references to God's love for man and man's love for God and his fellow man. But John also spoke of men who are guilty of lying. Let's briefly consider these Bible liars.

Those who claim fellowship with God, yet walk in darkness ("If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." 1 John 1:6). If a man claims to be of God, but lives a life that is contrary to God, he is a liar. This is hypocrisy. Preaching righteousness, but living for self.

Those who claim to know God, yet do not obey His commandments ("He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4). The individual who claims to be a follower of God, but who is unwilling to obey the commandments of Christ is a liar. Many claim to follow God's instructions, but they never repented nor have they been baptized (Acts 2:38). Some may claim to follow God, but they pervert His worship and will not follow his pattern. Some have added instruments of music, and subtracted His weekly communion (Ephesians 5:19; Acts 20:7).

The man that denies that Jesus is the Christ, is a liar ("Who is the liar but he that denieth that jesus is the Christ?" 1 John 2:22,23). Some people express faith without truly believing. Belief in Christ is essential (Hebrews 11:6). It is a belief in His authority and sovereignty. He has the right to rule, and I am obliged to obey His command (Matthew 7:21).

Those who claim to love God, yet hate their brother, are liars ("If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen." 1 John 4:20,21). It is impossible for a man to love God and at the same time hate his brother. We may dislike the actions or behavior of some people, but we must never allow hatred to enter into our heart, lest we fail to love God and become a lair.

Those who add to the Word of God ("Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son." 2 John 9). "Add thou not unto His word, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6). We are warned throughout the Word of God to leave it as it is written (Deuteronomy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Revleation 22:18,19). Please make sure that you have not added to the Word of God or bound where you ought not to have bound. Super organization, voting members in and out, counting beads, social and entertainment functions, etc... are unscriptural and need to be repented of and elimiated!

Please, don't be found to be a liar. The eternal place of the lair is reserved "in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8).

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ