Key Verse: 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. (2 Cor. 1:12)
Sometimes our actions can be misunderstood. Greg moved his family to a town some distance away, and, as expected, they were very busy settling into a new house. As a result, several weeks went by before he contacted an old friend who had lived there for a number of years. However, it was too late. Greg’s friend rebuffed him, saying, “You should have got in touch as soon as you arrived.” Their friendship has never recovered.
Misunderstanding someone else’s actions and taking offence is so easy to do, and this is particularly true for those in Christian ministry. You don’t have to live very long without hearing someone in ministry criticized. People in positions of Christian leadership have to have particularly thick skin. The Apostle Paul recognized this. He had changed his plans once before, and he needed to explain why he had changed them a second time.
So before telling the Christians at Corinth of his final change of plans, Paul tries to assure them of his dependability. He is not like the stereotypical building contractor who promises to start the job on Wednesday, then says Friday, but doesn’t show up until the next Monday. Paul lets the Corinthians know ahead of time that he has delayed his coming to avoid a painful visit (2 Cor. 1:23-2:1). He assures them he has their best interests at heart.
Knowing that some would still not understand, Paul writes to assure the Corinthians that he and his colleagues have conducted themselves with integrity, and he adds, “Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand” (2 Cor. 1:13 NLT). He holds integrity as a fundamental principle of life and ministry. He is both honest and straightforward; you don’t need, he says, to read between the lines. What you see is what you get.
Do you practice this? Are you honest and straightforward with everyone? Can people depend on you? When they talk about you, do they say, “He’ll never let me down,” or “You can trust her to do what she says”? That’s what Jesus himself meant when He said, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all . . . All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Mat. 5:33-37) That’s integrity. People can take your word for it. If you make a commitment, you will be there.
Prayer: Lord, let my heart be pure and my moral character be sound. May people say of me with good cause, “Yes, if he says so, you can depend on him”; or “She is absolutely trustworthy.” And, Lord, may I be like that for the sake of your reputation. Let me never shame You or embarrass You. I ask this for your glory.
Author: Lindsay Hislop was raised in southern Scotland and southern Ontario and now lives in the southern United States. He worked in the engineering field for 15 years (mostly in Canada) before pursuing an academic career. He has taught for over thirty years at Columbia International University. He also serves as an elder in his church, where he teaches and preaches regularly. He is married to a wonderful wife Pam and has two terrific children, Holly, who lives in Canada, and Doug, who lives in Columbia. His four grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Lindsay, and Dolan, are also pretty special. He likes doing carpentry and odd jobs around the house.
