“…that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ…”
Philippians 1:10
While thinking of words utilized to close a letter one came up in a very prominent position, it was the word “sincerely”. On one occasion, I was telling a friend a story, and I injected the phrase: “I am telling you the truth.” Before I could go further, he interrupted and said: “I would not think for a moment that you would tell me a lie.” I apologized immediately.
Out of its root, the word “sincerely” means pure. That being the case, we gather a cluster of words: honest, genuine, real, and free from hypocrisy. Patsy and I invited some friends for a cook-out. Asked what we would be having, I included the words, “root beer”. What I did not say was that it was “home-made”. In the middle of that get-to-gather, one individual said: “You did not tell me it was “homemade root-beer.” One can see how easily even truth can be looked upon as “containing hypocrisy.” Philippians 1:10, talks about a “sincere faith” and Peter speaks of a “sincere love of the brethren”. (1 Peter 1:22)
We live in a mixed up society intending to be guided by their feelings. God speaks in His Word, the Holy Scriptures, with authority; with finality. There is no wishy-washiness about His Sacred Book. The Apostle Paul wrote with finality: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:16, 17) People may misinterpret what the Word says, however it is God’s unchanging WORD for a changing society.
Many among us are endeavoring to mock God and His Word, the Bible. They piece-meal it or deny it’s authority in multiplied areas. The main reason for this is that in so doing they can justify their own ideas, morals, desires, etc…
It is HIS sincerely for you and me!
ETCetera 