Isaiah 63:8

Children that will not lie

Sincerity toward God

The Christian exemplifying the power of truth in his renewed nature, and in all the engagements and relations of life, is a phenomenon--a miracle of grace.

A Christian Church, consisting of believers adorning, in all things, the doctrine of God our Saviour, are men “wondered at. Yet, peculiar or eccentric as the course of such men may be deemed in the world, it is evident, from Scripture, that the people of God are expected to render practical homage to the truth no less habitual and profound.

I. THEIR REGARD FOR TRUTH. “Children that will not lie.

1. They estimate truth at its proper value. Buy the truth, but sell it not. Divine truth--the truth as it is in Jesus--is the greatest treasure our world contains. The full possession of this treasure cannot be secured with diligence and care. “Search the Scriptures.” “Prove all things.” “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Yet no man ever reached a full and abiding conviction of Divine truth by a mere process of investigation. No one will ever come to the light until he feels that he is walking in darkness. No one will ever find the truth until he feels that he has everything to learn in order to life and salvation, and that Christ alone can teach him. “All Thy children shall be taught of the Lord.”

2. When truth is sought from this Divine source it will be cordially welcomed.

3. They are concerned for the preservation of the truth in themselves. Not in the letter only, but in its spirit and power. The truth may be held in unrighteousness. The Gospel itself may become the savour of death unto death. What solemn words are “those of Christ, “If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

4. They bear a distinct and consistent testimony for the truth. What we feel deeply we shall speak freely. We believe, said the apostle, and therefore speak.

5. If the truth be so valued, received, obeyed, and testified, it will exert a practical influence in all the relative duties and circumstances of life.

II. HOW FAR IS THIS THOROUGH TRUTHFULNESS DISTINCTIVE OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD?

1. Sincerity toward God--faith unfeigned--brings with it the conviction that the subjects of it are His people. They have the witness within themselves. They are the children of light. They that have known the truth in its power can say, “The truth dwelleth in us, and shall be in us for ever.”

2. Their relation to God is made manifest to others.

3. Such sincere and faithful men have the strength of the people of God. If you would find the strongest men in the world’s history you must not look for them in camps, in senates, or in palaces, but in dungeons, in exile, or at the stake. It was not Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, or Wellington that affected the greatest changes in the world, but men who were made witnesses for the truth. “Ye are strong, for the Word of God abideth in you; and ye have overcome the wicked one.” The spirit of faith alone is invincible.

4. Those who are faithful to the truth have the freedom of God’s people. “I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts.”

5. They have the peace of the people of God and the honour sure to arise from fidelity. (J. Waddington, D. D.)

Fidelity between God and His people

God deals fairly and faithfully with them, and therefore expects they should deal so with Him. (M. Henry.)

“Children that will not lie”

God’s people are children that will not lie, for those that will are not His children, but the devil s. (M. Henry.)