Sincerity speaks of honesty and genuineness. Honesty is the expression of true or deep feelings. Genuineness is the state being genuine, real and not fake or artificial.
Sincerity as we said in our previous study is the other ambit of Conduct. And it was coined from ...to be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1 b).
Now, sincerity will come into play in our dealings with God and with men. Sincerity with God has to do with our faithfulness and hearty services to Him. However, the subject of gentleness does not cover this aspect. Therefore, we shall concentrate on our sincerity with men.
Sincerity with Men
It is so necessary that in our dealings with men, we should be sincere and open minded. We should be straightforward, only saying what we mean and believe.
Thus, in reacting to this, Apostle Paul stated:
Titus 2:7 KJV
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Do remember that sincerity is all about being ...ready to every good work (Titus 3:1)And to this, the Apostle further restated that: We should be a ...pattern of good works
Source
He went further to that sincerity be something of a daily affairs and we should be consistent in sincerity.
This is so because we cannot but deal with people on a daily bails. And it is in ail these dealings that our sincerity is tried. Thus, he said
Philippians 1:10 KJV
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
We have said that sincerity covers honesty and genuineness. Now we shall analyze both as the by-products of sincerity.
Honesty Is the by-product of Sincerity
This is the quality of being honest or truthful. And to be honest means to be frank, sincere or direct. It means telling the truth, not cheating or This was captured in the words of Apostle Paul:
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
He is simply telling us ponder on honesty amongst others. That we shouid take it seriously. This is so because it determines the fruitfulness or otherwise of our relationship with others.
Littlie wonder he stated..
1 Thessalonians 4:12 KJV
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
Those who are without are those not of the fold (unbelievers). VVorking or dealing honestly with them is a préof of your faith. Thus, by so doing: you lack nothing but having ali it takes to win them into Christ.
Honey, I have come to understand that honesty is a very scarce commodity in the market of the world, even in the Christendom. Honesty breeds trust and reliance. Thus, the lack of it as brethren results in suspicion and skepticism amongst us.
Hence, a brother is so scared to do business with his felow brother because of dishonesty. He is being afraid to be cheated in the name of the Lord.
It is pathetic that it is now a case of dog eat dog brother defrauds brother. Help us Jesus!
As a matter of fact, what a brother cannot do to an unbeliever; he would dare it to his fellow Brother (in Christ): capitalizing on their common faith or their denorninational cleavage. He would tend to defraud, cheat or steal from the other brother