That Ye Should Do That Which Is Honest

2nd Corinthians 13:5-9, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.”

I read this passage of Scripture today and a little phrase caught my attention, “that ye should do that which is honest.” We are living in a very dishonest world. The newsmedia lies to the American people all the time, with misinformation, disinformation and blatant lies.

Case in point, I remember back after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center that Fox News were on the frontlines of the Media Blackout, lying to conceal the truth that the Bush administration helped orchestrate the 9/11 attacks. The Bush administration definitely had prior knowledge, which is why they ruthlessly murdered FBI Deputy Director John O' Neill, because he knew too much. They got him a new job working at the WTC. His first day on the job was on 9/11. Thankfully, God will punish the evildoers!

Bush's own younger brother Marvin Bush was an executive for the company that handled all electronic security for the World Trade Center complex for the 2-years leading up to 9/11. Marvin oversaw the demolition teams that planted the high explosives in the WTC buildings. Thankfully God will punish them all in eternity (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

The carnal church at Corinth were questioning Paul's apostleship. They also questioned the legitimacy of the other apostles. In today's world they would have said, “Who died and left you in charge?” Paul responds by saying even if they were reprobates (not who they claimed to be), his only interest was in their spiritual growth in Christ. Paul had an excellent spirit.

Paul said regardless of what they thought about him, he exhorted “that ye should do that which is honest.” I love that. Though the stars fall, do right! do right!

From the dishonest Baptist pastor who says you must forsake your sinning to get to Heaven, to the dishonest spouse who breaks their marriage vow and divorces you, to the lying attorney who financially takes advantage of people at the lowest point of their life, singer Billy Joel is right that “honestly is such a lonely word.”

May we as God's redeemed children be just and ethical in our dealings with others in all matters, “that ye should do that which is honest” (2nd Corinthians 13:7b).