The Bible describes God as a God of truth. He will not lie (1 Samuel 15:29) and cannot lie (Titus 1:2). This attribute of truth is designated to each person of the Trinity or the Godhead. Truth is declared as an attribute of God the Father in Titus 1:1-2, of God the Son in John 14:6, and of God the Spirit in John 16:13. Even the very words of God are ascribed this attribute in John 17:17 where the Bible says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Thank God that He is truth and so is His word. A lie to the least extent within the words of God or in God’s very nature would incriminate God’s expressed deity. Lying is contrary to the nature of God. The scripture says that it is “impossible” for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). Impossible! It would be a different world if men would simply live more like Christ.
Paul and Barnabas functioned similar to pioneer church planters who travel into unreached areas with the gospel. As they traveled, they faithfully preached the gospel and started churches with the goal of returning later to strengthen the believers. As Paul and Barnabas were planning their return to these areas, a conflict arose between them concerning who would accompany them on their journey. Barnabas desired to take a young man named John Mark, but Paul adamantly refused. Mark had accompanied them on the first trip, but departed from them and “went not with them to the work.” Paul felt as though he could no longer depend upon John Mark because of his earlier failure. The contention was so strong that Paul and Barnabas parted company and went their own separate ways. This is a sad narrative should it end here; however, there is much more to the story. Praise God that Paul later remarked of John Mark that “he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).
