Congruence ∙∙∙

Congruence ∙∙∙

The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. – 1 Timothy 5:24

Luke 6:39-45

And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?”

“A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

“For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.”

“For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.”

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

The Origin of the Granny Smith Apple

In 1868, in the coastal town of Ryde, Australia, a remarkable woman named Maria Ann Smith, affectionately known as “Granny” Smith, unwittingly contributed to the world’s agricultural heritage by developing one of the most recognizable apple varieties. During her routine of baking apple pies using tart French crab apples, she disposed of the leftover cores and scraps by tossing them into a compost pile behind her farmhouse.

Over several months, a serendipitous event occurred: a chance seedling sprouted from this compost heap, growing on its own without any human help. As this young tree matured, it began to bear fruit unlike any apples Maria had ever seen. Although they shared similarities with traditional pippins, the apples were unmistakably unique with their crisp texture and bright green skin.

Thus, the Granny Smith apple was born, a delightful product of chance and naturethat would go on to make a lasting impact on culinary practices and the fruit industry worldwide. The legacy of the Granny Smith apple shows how unexpected events can lead to extraordinary results, shaping not only agricultural landscapes but also the tastes and preferences of future generations.

Faith and Integrity: Living What You Believe

Just as the Granny Smith apple emerged from an unexpected origin, our faith too must develop in unforeseen ways, rooted in truth and integrity. As children of the King, our lives are constructed on the solid foundation of God’s Word. Faith is not merely something we profess; it is a way of life. Nathaniel Branden insightfully remarked, “Integrity is congruence between what you know, what you profess, and what you do.”

We are called to embody the principles we advocate, serving as living representations of the truths we hold dear. This requires us to align our actions with our words, truly walking the walk.

The Hypocrisy of the Religious Leaders

In the first century, religious leaders in Israel had a deep understanding of God’s law. They could explain its teachings clearly and discuss its details thoroughly. However, their actions often did not match their knowledge. This large gap between what they believed and how they behaved led to widespread hypocrisy that usually went unnoticed.

Jesus Christ sternly criticized their hypocrisy, exposing their moral shortcomings and their failure to live up to the very principles they espoused. His criticisms served not only as a rebuke but also as a clarion call for integrity and genuine adherence to the values they ostensibly upheld.

Jesus harshly rebuked their behavior in Matthew 23:3: “So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.”

He denounced their craving for attention through ostentatious displays of prayer in Matthew 6:5: “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that men may see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

These verses emphasize the importance of living congruently, living in harmony with our faith, ensuring our actions match the faith we profess.

REFLECT & PRAY

Faith is not just a declaration; it is a way of life. As Carl Jung observed, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” Our integrity as children of the King is demonstrated through our consistent actions, not empty words.

Father, I desire to live with integrity. You have given me the privilege of knowing Your truth. Encourage me to live it consistently, so that my life reflects Your Word and brings honor to Your name.

INSIGHT

God Sees the Heart

Only God truly understands the depths of every individual’s heart. This truth is beautifully expressed in 1 Samuel 16:7: “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Similarly, Psalms 90:8 reminds us, “You spread out our sins before you – our secret sins – and you see them all.” This serves as a powerful reminder that while people may hide their sins from one another, nothing is hidden from the Father Who knows all.

The Heart Reveals Itself

Ultimately, what resides in a person’s heart will reveal itself over time. While some sins are obvious and easy to spot, others are carefully concealed behind a facade of moral integrity and spirituality. Such efforts at deception may fool even the most observant, creating an illusion of righteousness. However, the all-seeing Father knows everything, leaving no sin hidden.

The Apostle Paul highlights this in 1 Timothy 5:24: “Some men’s sins are plain for all to see, and lead the way to judgment; the sins of others will duly catch up on them.”

The Hypocrisy of Hidden Sins

The Lord Jesus Christ also addresses this in Matthew 23:3: “So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example, for they don’t practice what they teach.”

Some sins are conspicuous and impossible to miss. The Greek word proago, translated as “going before,” means to “precede, go before, move ahead, or take the lead.” Proago could be translated as “running ahead.” It is a graphic way of saying that they are “flagrant and obvious.”

Barclay observes, “There are obvious sinners, whose sins are clearly leading to their disaster and their punishment, and there are secret sinners who, behind a facade of blameless virtue, live a life that is, in essence, evil and ugly. What other people cannot see, God does. As the thirteenth-century theologian, Thomas Aquinas, said, ‘Man sees the deed, but God sees the intention.’ There is no escape from the ultimate confrontation with the God who sees and knows everything.”

Hidden Faults Revealed Over Time

Conversely, some people’s misdeeds are not immediately apparent. Their faults often emerge only with time. What initially seems praiseworthy may conceal serious flaws, and as time passes, these hidden truths lead us to reevaluate our initial perceptions.

Living as Children of the Light

As children of the light, we are called to live in accordance with the Word of God. Our lives should reflect His truth, making us living letters of His Word. Paul emphasizes this in 2 Corinthians 3:3: “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This ‘letter’ is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.”

2 Corinthians 3:3

Carl Rogers once said, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” This perspective aligns with the story of the Granny Smith apple, which reminds us that remarkable things can develop unexpectedly. Similarly, our faith must grow congruently, rooted in truth and practiced with integrity.

As children of the King, we are called to align our actions with our beliefs, becoming living examples of God’s Word.

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© Dr. H 2025