"godly sincerity"

Paul writes the second letter to the Corinthians and says in 1.12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

Quite the mouthful. What is the Apostle really saying here?

As always, a definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

Sincerity:  Honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation or hypocrisy. Freedom from hypocrisy, disguise or false pretense.

To further define the word, look at this sentence;  We may question a man's prudence, when we cannot question his sincerity.  

Titus 2:7, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,"

2 Cor 2:17, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity...in the sight of God speak we in Christ."

Phil 1.10, "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ."

Allow an anecdotal account of the last scripture noted: 

One day this blogger came across Phil 1.10.  There had always been a reservation of heart when expressing love towards others that weren't family.  The truth is, whilst growing up, much distrust had developed due to unkind words in this youngster's world. Then, a respected person said, "You could receive more blessings if you loved more."  Backgrounds matter.  Things that shape who one is, matters. I later replied of Phil 1.9, 10 as to "why" I couldn't "love more."  To be "sincere" and honest, I had to love "in (the) knowledge" I had grown up with.  A rebuttal of my reasoning was again given, "but you could receive more blessings."  I understood but was again hurt by the nonacceptance of my "sincerity." The conclusion, after reading Phil 1.9, 10 was that one 'couldn't' be more than what was given to a tender heart.  To be "sincere," I couldn't "love" more than my heart would allow.  

The answer the Lord gave to this last hurtful response was to "leave the respected person as they were and carry on in "sincerity."  This indeed quieted my heart as I wait on "more love" to give.

I understand we are to be "overcomers in Christ," (I Jn 4.4) but one cannot be "more" than they are.  The very definition of sincerity is "honesty of mind or intention," not a "hypocrit."

So, break the phrase down a bit further, "godly sincerity."  The truth is to be sincere, one must be so in Christ as seen in 2 Cor 2.17.  We are indeed overcomers.

But, if you can't, you can't.  At least refrain from hypocrisy in any given situation, circumstance or conversation.  This blogger believes and practices, as much as possible being "real."  What the world sees in you must be consistent with your "realness."  As a believer are you consistent in manner, behavior and speech?  Would a nonbeliever already know how you would think, speak or act and to WHO you belong?  Or do you waver in your ways? (Jms 1.8)

Whatever you do, do it with "godly sincerity."  You will be the winner in spirit, mind and heart.

Blessings, Ps 57.7

How to Read the Bible

Much of this discourse is taken from "CH Spurgeon" on the subject noted.  It speaks to this blogger on why so little is gained from scripture these days.  The largest reason being the state of my heart.  Admittedly, I have grown cold. There is no excuse. This heart has been allowed jaded, biased attitudes and opinions that are usually unfair in speculation(s) about a given individual or circumstance, to shape my thinking.  If I am to "think rightly" (Phil 4.8) as He commands, I must follow Phil 2.5, "Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus."   My prayer is to "draw nigh to God (so that) He will draw nigh to (me)."   

This scripture also instructs, yea commands to "...cleanse your hands...and purify your hearts."(Jms 4.8) 

In reading Bro. Spurgeon's words on the subject, he points out how the Lord rebuked the Pharisee's; "Have ye not read?" (Mt 12.3-7)  His meaning was not about how arrogant, self-rightous hearts received His Words.  Of course, they had "read" with their eyes but their hearts were far from the meaning of Holy Writ.  One line of Bro. Spurgeon's review of the subject catches my eye...yea pierces the heart;  "streams that run for a long distance above ground gradually gather for themselves somewhat of the soil through which they flow, and they lose the cool freshness with which they started from the spring head."  

Also, "truth is sweetest where it breaks from the smitten Rock...it's always best to drink AT the well and NOT from the tank." When one "scans" over the Holy Ghost inspired Words, much meaning is lost.  How should one read Holy Scripture?

1. Just "read" it.  The old preacher pointed out Rev 1.3, "Blessed is he that readeth...."
2. An uninterrupted time must be set aside to read.  A routine should be established.  "Let all things be done decently and in order." (I Cor 14.40)
3. Drink of the unadulterated, whole milk of the Word of God.  Skim or 2% milk do not give the nutrients needed for strength. (CH Spurgeon)
4. There must be knowledge of God before there can be love TO God: there must be a knowledge of divine things.  When the high priest lit the golden candlestick before the incense upon the brazen altar, it seemed to demonstrate that the mind must have illumination before the affections can properly rise towards their divine object. Which, of course, is the Lord Jesus. Do you know Him in the free pardon of sin? Are you saved? (I Cor 14.3, 4)
5. Pray the Lord's blessings on the reading of His Word.  Since He is its Author, He knows it best. Just as asking the blessing over one's food to give strength for the physical, so a blessing should be asked for the spiritual.

While life keeps us busy after many things, the Word is our foundation.  "We get the profit out of it if we make it our food, our medicine, our treasury, our armoury, our rest and our delight." (CH Spurgeon)

What is the glorious end to reading His Holy Word? "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, AND we shall be changed." (I Cor 15.51.52)

Amen.  JUST READ it!

What do you mean by that?

The next chapter in First Corinthians begins to deal with our speech.  Verse two states "...he that speaketh in an (unknown) tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God."  If the italicized word "unknown" is removed, since it was added by the translators, a new meaning emerges.  Often words taken out of context create a whole host of problems when understanding scripture. We are not taking the word "unknown" out of context, simply removing it for clarification of the word "tongue."

Thus stated, for a moment let us look at "tongue" and it's meaning.

The Greek word defining tongue, simply stated means, "language."  Quite clearly, it is the way human beings communicate one to another.

Webster's 1828 defines "tongue" further as speech; This blogger would add, discourse or power of articulation to the meaning.  Whether English, Greek or Hebrew, tongue/language is the string of words that sounds out to another thoughts to explain or describe a given subject.  

Then, verse 2 moves on to explain that "he that speaketh in an (unknown) tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:..." In other words, ONLY GOD really knows what one means when thought is put into the spoken word.  ONLY GOD, really knows what motivates one to speak.  ONLY GOD knows what is in the heart of man that must be expressed in outward speech.  

Scripture gives many observations regarding our speech to one another:  Proverbs 18.21 warns, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." 

• Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying,... Eph 4.29Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.  Ps 141.3
• Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Ps 19.14
• My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. Ps 49.3
• the froward mouth, do I hate.  Pro 8.13
• He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. Pro 18.13
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue: Pro 18.21
• Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Jms 1.19
• A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Pro 15.1
• The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  Ps 37.30, 31
• Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Pro 16.24
• Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Pro 21.23
• And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col 3.17
• A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:... Pro 15.4
• but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Jms 5.12

Finally, this blogger would add a wonderful, frightening thought since "death and life are in the power of the tongue," What do you mean by what you say?  The toddler song would put it this way, "O be careful little tongue what you say, O be careful little tongue what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, O be careful little tongue what you say...."

Amen and God bless.  Ps 57.7

Real love - Hopeth all things

 Same verse, a little further.  Love/Charity..."hopeth all things..."

Webster's 1828 defines hope this way; A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it or a belief that it is obtainable.  Confidence in a future event. 

This bloggers favorite description of hope; "Confidence in a future event."  How's that for meeting each day with a positive attitude?

Real love always "hopes" for the best.  Real love never gives time or effort to what "might" happen.  Real love is not ashamed to hope. (Rom 5.5) Real love understands that "cast down (is) not destroyed." Real love knows that "persecuted (is not) forsaken" because believers recognize and by the Holy Ghost, grasp that "we are always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus." (I Cor 4.9,10)

Real love can "hope" with a passion to know that "because He lives, we may live too!"

Real love - Believeth all things

 I Corinithians 13.7 seems to be a powerful verse to this blogger at the moment.  It's been read many times thru the years as a believer but recently, the Holy Ghost is quite literally "shouting" it's truth.

The next part of  the verse noted is that real love, "believeth all things."  

Obviously, "all" doesn't mean for one to be naive in "all."  However, the passage speaks to this writer in a very sensitive way since it is not my nature to trust.  Naive, according to the dictionary means "deficient in wordly wisdom or ignorance about life."  Simply put one would be, "unassuming, not skeptical or to take another's word at face value."

Some tend to be skeptical about all information that is given.  Real love doesn't operate this way.  Real love "believeth all things."  If two parties are having a talk, discussion or discourse about any given subject, "real love" will take what is being said literally.  Real love will not question motive or intent.  Ideally, the giver of information will have neither motive or intent to manipulate the other party's thinking on a subject.

If you tell me the sky is green instead of blue, it should be a given you wouldn't lie about it.  Undoubtedly, this is a simple and unrealistic example, unless a tornado is on the way, but it makes the point.

To believe like a child is a hard thing for jaded, hardened adults to do.  Yet, real love is like the innocence of a child.  Trust your Heavenly Father to lead, guide and direct your steps in all matters.  If one wrongs you by virtue of telling a wrong thing, He is their Judge and will set it to rights. (Rom 12.19)

The Lord put it this way in Mk 10.14 and Mt 19.14; "...little children...(their innocence) is (like) the kingdom of God."  

Finally, the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4.8, "whatsoever (was good) ...think on these things."