Lord’s Day 43: Q&A 112: The Whole Truth
We are on the ninth commandment this week, which is ‘Do not bear false witness/testimony against your neighbor.’ This is usually and obviously thought of in the sense of bearing witness in a court of law or during a trial, but the implications are broader. This commandment is telling us to not speak ill of our neighbors in any sense; to not slander them, no matter where we are or to whom we are speaking.
The positive spin on this commandment is one of my favorites. It would go something like ‘always speak the truth about your neighbor.’ Maybe even ‘actively speak truth about your neighbor.’ In a court of law, people swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help them God. This is what we are called to do: to not just not spread falsehoods, but to actively tell the truth.
I think this commandment is increasingly relevant in our lives today. So much of discourse both online and irl is full of slander and falsehoods that the church has a great opportunity to stand out from the world and actively promote truth-telling about everyone, even those who would oppose us.
Lord’s Day 43
Q&A 112
GOD’S LAW
As usual, this Q&A can be read responsively for this portion of the service.
CONFESSION OF SIN
God of Truth,
We confess that we have given
false testimony against our neighbors,
We have twisted words,
gossiped and slandered.
We confess to joining in condemning other
rashly and without a hearing.
Lord, we know we should avoid
lying and deceit of every kind;
But we have fallen short of
Of your love and truth.
Forgive us, Lord,
And turn your wrath away from us.
Renew our hearts, Lord,
We help us love your truth
More and more each day.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Psalm 15:1-2)
One: Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
All: The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
One: Our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ,
By his perfect life, sacrificial death, and liberating resurrection
Covers us with his righteousness.
All: Because of Christ, the Word of God,
We are set free from sin and death.
Thanks be to God, Amen.
CALL TO GODLY LIVING (1 Peter 3:8-9)
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
