 By James H. Cagle |
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment: that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 KJV).
Sincerity is a rare gem to have. Those who possess sincerity become a gem. Sincerity is owned by one who has decided to lay aside all pretension and hypocrisy and be real with themselves, others and God.
To become sincere one must first objectify and examine the self to see who they really are and what they have been pretending to be, to make what they have been pretending to be the real person. If they have been pretending to be holy but are really a sinner they will deal with their sins at Calvary and become truly holy. This transaction must take place before a person can become the person God really wants them to be. This must take place before a person can start being real with others.
To be sincere with others we address them with the best that we have of ourselves, with honesty, openness, and frankness, all the while knowing our best is not perfect but is sincerely who we are.
To be sincere with God, we address Him with the best that we are, with honesty, openness, and frankness, all the while knowing He knows us perfectly and that our best is not perfect but is acceptable. When we offer ourselves with sincerity and truly want to be better by receiving His Son Jesus as our Savior.
Seriousness is another gem one must possess if they are to be sincere. Insincerity must be taken seriously if one is to address their pretensions and hypocrisy seriously in order to become sincere. If one is sincere they can be taken seriously. If one is insincere they cannot be taken seriously. People who are sincere are serious about their relationship with others. People who are not sincere are not serious about their relationship with others. This is because serious relationships cannot be built and maintained without sincerity.
In order for the Christian to bear fruit of righteousness by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God they must be sincere in their relationship with themselves, others, and God.
