Have you ever had a job where the opinion of your superiors regarding your performance and reality bore zero resemblance to one another? Usually, you know you’re getting it done and doing it right. Your peers know the same. Even some of the higher-ups know this to be the case. Regrettably, at a certain level at near the totem pole top this opinion stops and the “it’s a mystery why we even let you darken our door” begins. Quite the comedown. Anyway, if this is you, this latest Cephas Hour episode is for you.

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Strange though it may seem, most people find being lied to directly to your face rather annoying. Go figure.

Lying, of course, comes in many different fashions. One of them is the inability to give somebody a direct answer. Jesus told us to let our yes be yes, and our no be no. He didn’t say, “Well, if you don’t really want to give an answer, drag out your reply for 15 minutes and hope the other person figures it out.” He was a lot more direct than that.

I commented in an earlier episode about how it hurts when you give someone or something your love without receiving love in return. It also hurts when hard work and genuine effort yield nothing but belittlement and derision. It’s one thing to say that we should do whatever we do as unto the Lord, which is true. It’s an entirely different matter when you realize that is your only channel for receiving any reward for your effort.

It’s hard to take heart when those for whom you give your all respond with scorn. It hopefully drives us closer to Christ, and hopefully helps us to understand some of what He went through when all that He did for the people and the nation of Israel was rejected out of hand for not being what so many desired — namely, an overthrow of Roman rule. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes all you can do is cry out to the Lord. Thankfully, He listens. Because, far too often, no one else will.

We live in a fundamentally unjust and unfair world. All of us know this. We don’t like it, but we know it.

We live in a world where people unfairly judge others based on incidentals, such as gender and skin tone. We also live in a world where that judgment is turned inside out into false pride and absolution from personal responsibility. This is a problem, especially when viewed in the light of scripture. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It does not make allowances or excuses based on our race or gender. It does not permit “self-identification “ as somehow being sacrosanct and a viable option for people to follow.

So many in this world, for the sake of power and financial gain, seek exploitation and inflammation of differences that, in the light of God‘s love for us, should not matter. They do not wish to admit that they need to be covered by the shed blood of Christ. Instead, they seek to have shed on their behalf the blood of others who had no part in whatever grievance is the current hot-button topic.

It is high time that we, as Christians, started “going there“ and telling the truth about race and sex in modern society. Race is neither a source of privilege nor an excuse for abhorrent behavior. As Paul wrote, we are not our own; Jesus paid for our eternal life with Him at a terrible price. Therefore, we should honor God. We should respect others, knowing that we are all indeed one. Those who seek division must receive opposition without compromise. There is no other way. Racism and sexism are abominations, regardless of who practices either against another. This is the truth. Saying so in deed and word may not make you popular in social media circles, but frankly, if that concerns you, you’re doing life wrong.

As I record this show on May 6th, 2023, a dear friend named Laura is celebrating her wedding. Laura is a true believer; a true woman of God. I am honored and blessed to know her. Some words from the 31st chapter of Proverbs are appropriate.

A wife of noble character who can find?
 She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
 and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
 all the days of her life.

She opens her arms to the poor
 and extends her hands to the needy.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
 she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
 and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
 and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
 her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,
 but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
 but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.