How sincere are you in the Christian faith? Sincerity is the byproduct of Jesus' command, "Be Perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)," This life principle, when correctly understood, causes Christians to be more like Jesus and keeps them focused on God's perfect vision of Love. In other words, it develops the Jesus trait of sincerity where the Christian Character Counts:
The tragedy with Christianity today is the same as in Jesus's day; hypocrisy and duplicity show dishonesty in the faith. The root problem is that the believer's heart is invalid toward the LORD. They are more actors and pretenders than sincere in the Delight of the LORD rooted in His Love. Many don't put much effort into establishing life's principles, setting up boundaries in life, and intentionally reaching God's potential. They reflect the enemy's character in place of being an expression of the Image of God. It's sad because it turns people away from the Lord and causes divisions in relationships and life.
There are many symptoms of lack of sincerity in the faith that promotes hypocrisy and duplicity. For example, Christians say they have an attitude toward Christ but do not understand the "Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11)." Another sign is saying one thing in front of someone and then gossiping or slandering them behind their back. Can we say "two-faced" or duplicitous living? What about judging others or refusing to love someone because they don't conform to your preferences, beliefs, or thinking? I could go on, but most understand what being a hypocrite or deceitful means. The question is, are you one?
The prescription of hypocrisy and duplicity is to generate sincerity through Jesus' command, "Be Perfect." Be perfect or mature in God the Father's Love and truth, where sincerity is your reality in word and deed. Sincerity is letting God shine through your blemishes rather than trying to cover them up. In other words, as John Maxwell shares," Our walk talks and our talk talks, but our walk talks louder than our talk talks." Sincerity is where our beliefs, character, and actions work well together for a better private and public life. So sincerity begs the question, are you sincerely living a good and exemplary life consistently and constantly? The Apostle Paul shares these words about sincerity: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called – Ephesians 4:1 (ESV). All of us have been called to be genuine in the faith on the inside and out.
Today, stop being a hypocrite and quit your duplicity; dispute your insincerity in the faith, and decide to apply the vision of God. Do so to understand where you're at in your imperfection to grow and become more like Jesus daily, where you are focused and determined to be an expression of God's Image, a perfect image where Christian Character Counts in the sincerity of Christ and life.
With Love and sincereness,