Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"Simplicity and godly sincerity..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:12
A GREAT LIFESTYLE
It is hard to have a great Christian lifestyle in the days of the Apostle Paul and in modern times. Yet, Paul managed to maintain a significant Christian testimony.
“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 to you.”
2 Corinthians 1:12
1. “Testimony”
a) There must, of course, be a strong Biblical content (Acts 2:14-36).
b) But there must also be a consistent Christian lifestyle.
2. “The testimony of our conscience”
a) Paul was most conscious of his conscience.
b) His conscience would bear testimony.
i) Of his speaking to people about faith in the Lord.
ii) Of his lifestyle (consistent with what he preached).
3. “We conducted ourselves in the world”
a) “Simplicity”
i) Single-mindedness is a feature of simplicity.
ii) Sincere devotion to the Lord is another essential feature.
b) “Godly sincerity”
i) Great honesty is in mind here.
ii) It is essentially living a life that seeks to be found pure.
c) “Not with fleshly wisdom”
i) Paul was never enamoured of the wisdom of the world.
ii) He determined that he would never rely on fleshly wisdom.
d) “By the grace of God”
i) Grace was a major theological and personal word Paul used in his writings.
ii) Grace was given by God for salvation (Ephesians 2:8).
iii) Grace was certainly needed in times of suffering (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
iv) Living for the Lord effectively involves the great grace of God extended to the believer.
e) “And more abundantly toward you”
Much grace had indeed been extended to the greatly troubled Corinthian Church!