We need to be ruthlessly honest with ourselves so that we will not tolerate even a slight deviation from what is upright and true. We should be more inexcusable of our own faults than of those of others. Living in the image of God means living uprightly in every respect. Without exception.

In a lecture to his students, Charles Spurgeon said, ‘Resolve, dear brethren, that you can be poor, that you can be despised, that you can lose life itself, but that you cannot do a crooked thing. For you, let the only policy be honesty.’

Naturally, we must also be honest with others. The words of Psalm 15 are significant–

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart…who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Blameless, righteous, truthful, respectful, generous, trustworthy–even when it costs us. These are essential qualities in our dealings with others.

To read more on this topic see Living in the Image of God, Barry Chant (Miranda: Tabor, 2012 available in eBook and Paperback) from which this edited extract is taken.