Letters From Grandpa #26

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 26

Dearest Grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with the subject of honesty. As followers of Jesus who have been “born again”, there is a contrast between the way we used to live, and the way we live now. We put off our old corrupt nature, and put on a new nature which is like God. God is Truth and does not lie (Titus 1:2). “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Eph 4:25)

Newsman Brian Williams was recently caught lying. He claimed to be on board a helicopter when it was shot at and he wasn’t. After repeating the story several times over many years he finally admitted that he “mis remembered” what happened. Predictably, this one lie he admitted to, has opened the door to question everything he has ever said. As these historical question marks continue to grow he has been removed from his lucrative job as a news anchor for 6 months. Whether he will keep his job remains to be seen. The latest joke about him is: “I really wasn’t beheaded by Al Queda like I said, I just mis remembered what happened.”

I’m sure you have heard of Saul Alinsky. His book Rules for Radicals, is considered by some to be the Bible for community organizers. Here is the way he dedicates that book: “Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history... the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer.” Remember! Lucifer, or Satan, is a “liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). We should not be surprised when students of Saul Alinsky tell lies!

Andy Andrews has written a provocative little book titled: “How do you kill eleven million people”? This is the number of people systematically exterminated by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. The simple answer to the question is that you lie to them. When you load the victims onto cattle cars you dare not tell them the truth. You dare not tell them they are on their way to their death. Instead, you lie to them. You apologize for their temporary inconvenience and promise that at the end of their journey they will be given new homes where they can reestablish new lives with their families.

Grandpa has reminded you before of 5 famous martyrs killed on January 8, 1956 in the jungles of Equador. They were Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCulley, and Pete Fleming. These heroic men were murdered because of a lie. These five missionaries befriended an evil man named Nankiwi. They gave him food, and Nate Saint even took him for an airplane ride. When he was threatened with death at the hands of his own tribe, because of a personal indiscretion, he deflected criticism from his own conduct by lying about the missionaries. He said the missionaries were coming to kill and eat members of the tribe.

On August 8, 1990, President George H. W. Bush said this with reference to Gulf War One. “Less than a week ago, in the early morning hours of August 2d, Iraqi Armed Forces, without provocation or warning, invaded a peaceful Kuwait. Facing negligible resistance from its much smaller neighbor, Iraq's tanks stormed in blitzkrieg fashion through Kuwait in a few short hours. With more than 100,000 troops, along with tanks, artillery, and surface-to-surface missiles, Iraq now occupies Kuwait. This aggression came just hours after Saddam Hussein specifically assured numerous countries in the area that there would be no invasion. There is no justification whatsoever for this outrageous and brutal act of aggression.” If Saddam Hussein had only told the truth he might have avoided a horrible war and his own death.

My father earned a modest living as a fireman in Tulsa. His ability to train hunting dogs, his skill as a guide, and his access to many places to hunt, enabled him to have many wealthy friends. When they wanted to go hunting, they would call him. He never charged them for his services. One of his friends shared with dad a little test he gave to new employees. He would deliberately leave a $10 bill in a place where the new employee could steal it. In that day, of course, a $10 bill had much more purchasing power than it does today. At any rate, if the new employee stole a mere $10 the boss knew that he could not be trusted. How sad that someone’s integrity can be bought for such a small amount of money.

So when you are tempted to lie, or be dishonest, remember that honesty is the best policy. It may cost you in the short term, but in the long term you will always be glad you told the truth.

Abraham Lincoln earned the name "Honest Abe" as a young store clerk in New Salem, Ill. Legend has it that whenever he realized he had accidently shortchanged a customer, he would immediately correct the discrepancy, even if he had tdo walk several miles to do so. When he became a lawyer he understood the challenge. Most people associate lawyers with dishonesty. Lincoln resolved to be an honest lawyer, and if that was not possible, he resolved to be honest and not be a lawyer. No wonder he became president.

So, whenever you are tempted to “mis remember”, please clearly remember this admonition from Scripture: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Eph 4:25)

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce