“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
What does it mean when Paul says, “This is our boast….”? Is he boasting in the fact that he has “conducted ourselves in the world and especially in our relations with you?” Indeed he has. And how has he done this? With “integrity and godly sincerity.” No lies, no false testimony, no scheming or gossip. Paul has been dealing with the Corinthian church with the utmost wisdom and grace given to them by God.
Consider a letter written like this to your church today. It’s a letter of encouragement, yes, but also correction, rebuke and rebuttal. It’s a letter to build up, not tear down, the body of Christ. And so here we find Paul boasting in the church just as he hopes they will boast (talk highly about) him “in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
How we interact and deal with fellow believers matters greatly. We read about this of how Paul was in relationship with this church of God living not in captivity as was the case in some of Peter’s writings, but in a Greek city in Corinth. A city that had heard and many had received the Word of God and trusted Christ as Savior. Now Paul is becoming their spiritual father, instructing them in “integrity and godly sincerity” and helping them be who Christ as called them to be.
I don’t know about you but this sounds refreshing! Consider a church that encouraged one another! That built one another up. There are enough non-believers and dissenters out there that we don’t need this in the church of God. And although we will still face troubles among fellow believers, we can help mend these with love, honesty and by showing grace to all.
Perhaps today you need to be reconciled to God or to your fellow Christian believer. Follow biblical principles to reconcile, seek forgiveness and offer grace to those in time of need. Let us all humble ourselves before the Lord that he might lift us up and so be glorified along the way. By his grace and for his glory.
“O Lord God, you are good. I thank you for Paul’s words to the church, for they are words for us today. Thank you for your grace and love, forgiveness and healing. Come now, Holy Spirit, draw your people to your throne. Help us so walk and act like Jesus that we walk with godliness and integrity with our brothers and sisters. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we might be all that you have called and created us to be. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen