Sincerity as a Lifestyle
2 Corinthians 1:12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
What does your life look like?
Paul told the church in Corinth that he had integrity, was trustworthy, and they could know it because his actions proved it. The thing is as believers, we a lot of times fall a bit short of the same statement. Sure we want people to look at our lives but only the ones we portray on Sundays, Wednesday evenings (midweek service), or around other believers. For most of us myself included we would not want our lives displayed on a big screen for all to see. We’ve made mistakes, allowed our shortcomings to get the better of us, and fallen flat on our faces. God though is not about our past, He is concerned with our present and our future and Paul breaks it down for how we should like a Lifestyle of Sincerity.
We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings
How you treat someone you do not like or know demonstrates considerably who you are and where your priorities lie. It is easy to be nice and fair to those we like but it is another thing to be nice and fair to someone who would cheat you at the first opportunity. Yet Paul says, He is confident and has a clear conscience concerning his holiness and sincerity.
We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom.
As believers, we are challenged to step out in faith. That point where our reality stops and the fulfillment of Gods plan begins. You see we cannot do it on our own, instead we must trust God over our own understanding. (Check out Proverbs 3:5&6)
That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
Paul treated everyone the same. He did not just show compassion to some or only to those who deserved it. Instead regardless of race, financial/social status, or gender he saw everyone the same. As believers we too must set aside any prejudice, malice, or ill will we may have towards someone who is different from us. Instead we must show ourselves as sincere by demonstrating the love of Christ and His sincerity to a lost and hurting world through our words, actions, and attitudes. (Check out Galatians 3:28 & Colossians 3:11)
Today the YFA team wants to challenge you to join us and take up the commitment to have “Sincerity as a Lifestyle” in everything you do!