AH! I don’t believe in sin,” said an intelligent but careless young infidel to a Christian. “I don’t believe there is such a thing; if there is, what is it?”
“Did you ever tell a lie?” was the short and pungent answer,
The self-confident inquirer found himself at once in an awkward fix. To say “no” would be an evident lie, for where is the person who has never lied? To say “Yes” would be to own himself a sinner.
After some moments’ hesitation, he answered confusedly that he dared say he had told a white lie or two.
“That’s sin,” replied the other.
Enough; the infidel beat a hasty retreat. His mouth was stopped. Men talk of white lies and black lies, but before God a lie is a lie. And the word of Him who cannot lie says,
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8.
ML 07/11/1937