Godly Sincerity

How does Godly sincerity look like? How do we develop Godly sincerity?

“For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the World in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.  For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 1: 12-14

Simplicity: Greek definition– singleness, sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or generosity, bountifulness, liberal, candor, simplicity of heart, frankness, integrity, fidelity

Sincerity: Greek Defintion- judged by sunlight, tested as genuine, clear as light, pure.

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. James 3:14-15

In 2Corinthians 1:12-14, Paul clearly explains his heart towards the Corinthian church. His conscience was testifying that his life before them and the way he conducted himself was with genuine simplicity and love towards them. His heart was pure. He wasn’t walking in fleshly wisdom. The above scripture in the book of James defines fleshly wisdom as one who has bitter envy and self-seeking in his heart. Paul obviously was not envious of this church neither did he have any self-seeking in his heart toward them.

If Paul had selfish ambitions to be known or any lust for power, he could have stayed in Judaism and played church and phariseetical title games of his day. Paul’s religion in times past, had grabbed his heart and attention to the degree that he was willing to persecute people for it.

After Paul’s conversion, he realized that His religious ambitions had blinded him from the truth. He had become more concerned about protecting his territory by throwing believers in prison rather than hearing the truth that could set him free from his prison of piety!! Paul tells us in Philippians 3:2-11 that “…what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ..”.  Paul had allowed God to strip him of all worldly passions, his cruel activities, and earthy desires because he had found that nothing else satisfied.

Paul became a different man after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. In the above scriptures (2Cor 1:12-14), he tells the church that they are his boast now. He wasn’t boasting in his accomplishments and his success anymore, but he was boasting in the lives of those whom he had led to Christ and shepherded. He is speaking as a father to the church.

When we serve with godly sincerity, it is a lot like being a parent. We continue to give and love without waiting to be applauded or even thanked for that matter. Our joy is to lavish those we shepherd with love and security,  and when we see them growing and thriving, it brings joy to our hearts.

The above definition of sincerity defines it as judged by sunlight. Our sincerity will be tested by the challenges of life, pressure from others, and disappointments with those we love. When those circumstances come, our hearts will be scrutinized to see how genuine and whole we are. Were we really doing our work as unto the Lord or as unto man?  We truly don’t know how sincere we are until we go through some of those tests!!!

In conclusion, Godly sincerity is developed by laying aside our own selfish ambitions and desires. We need to consider everything as a loss that could be an obstacle in following Jesus wholeheartedly. Finally it is essential to develop a heart of parent/shepherd towards others. We should be willing to give of ourselves easily and frequently without expectation of return. That’s godly sincerity.

Lord, help us to become genuine people. Examine our hearts and take out anything that is impure or fake. Help us to be real, simple and sincere people. We desire to live, move and have our being as unto you!!