The Truth...and Nothing But!
A commentary by Robin Webber
United Church of pastor, Redlands and San Diego, California
Long ago and far away in 4th century Greece, Diogenes of Sinope walked the streets of Athens on a noteworthy quest. It is said that this cynical philosopher strolled through the market place with a lantern in the brightness of the noon-day—in search of just one honest man.
Unfortunately, this story seems all too real for us today with the recent investigation of United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' dismissal of seven U.S. attorneys. As each day goes by the story of who, what, where, why and how seems to get a little more twisted and humanly interesting. Some are even calling for the resignation of America's top law enforcer.
But possibly stretching the facts or leaving them out is nothing new. America recently went through another episode of being "loose with the facts," or selective memory, in the trial of former Vice Presidential assistant I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby who stands convicted of perjury—subject to appeal.
In both cases the ultimate issue became not the person's intended goals but how he "parceled the facts."
When all is said and done, you and I need to realize that telling the truth is an equal opportunity challenge. Be it male or female, rich or poor, Republican or Democrat, all of us are at times put into the "squeeze play" of telling the truth when at the moment it seems to be humanly inconvenient.
Let's face it, to be real about the subject, if an examination of our lives should consist of a host of emails that could put us in a bad light (Gonzales), or point to selective memory (Libby), or the parceling of words (Clinton), or a whole 18 minutes of "damning testimony" conveniently erased (Nixon), which of us could stand up to the light of Diogenes' lantern? Which of us has consistently lived up to our mother's good advice as, in that reassuring but firm voice she explained, "When you tell the truth you never have to worry about what you have said?"
Long ago another man walked this earth and taught, "Let your ‘Yes' be 'Yes," and your 'No' be 'No'" (Matthew 5:37). He lived in a religious society in which many people had the insidious habit of taking vows filled with loopholes in order to avoid self-incrimination or living up to their word with their actions. This man from Galilee taught that truth should not be a casual acquaintance forced on us only by pressure from an external source. It should be the bedrock of a principled, transparent and meaningful life before God, not just an act before men.
Through the echoing halls of Capital Hill it is being asked, "How can an Attorney General under suspicion of being loose with the facts serve as the highest law enforcer in the land?" A good question!
But if you are tempted to say, "Y-e-a-h!!!!," first stand up to your own personal mirror on the wall of self-disclosure! Ask, "What do I do under pressure when asked who, what, where, when and how and am I one who knows that "the buck stops here?"
Now we are talking!
Most likely many of you reading this column are believers in Jesus Christ and have an understanding that He promises to return and set up His Kingdom, that He is molding His saints here and now to be "kings and priests" then and there (Revelation 5:10). If that be true, and I believe it is, don't you and I now have the responsibility of telling the truth consistently, not because we have to under oath but because we want to even when it may not be self-convenient?
That's why Christians always bring more to life than is naturally headed their direction. It's because they take God at His Word and stay there, living and walking in truth.
One day in the future, Diogenes—the guy with the lamp—and Jesus— the Light of the World (John 8:12)—are going to meet and have a talk. That should be interesting. I think Diogenes will opt for retirement.
In the meantime, let me recommend that you go to our Web literature section for one of our free booklets with a whole chapter on the importance of telling the truth. Yes, it's time to read a realistic primer on truth-telling because I see more than Diogenes coming our way.
 The truth be known, I see Jesus Christ watching and listening. And that is the whole truth, and nothin' but! So act now. Just download, read online or request a free printed copy of our booklet: The Ten Commandments.
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