By George Slover    |    Visit www.smcofc.org or

For our boasting is this:the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.” (2 Corinthians 1:12)

 No one should ever have to appeal to the testimony of his conscience.  However, anyone with strong convictions like Paul will not be able to avoid it.  Unfortunately, those who stand for something will make enemies, and these enemies will try to assassinate their character.

So we find Paul, this extremely controversial character, again on trial. Paul’s most admirable trait, right or wrong, was always to be true to himself. (Acts 23:1)  Our conscience simply is a moral governor.  It must be properly instructed to be in harmony with God. Sincerity alone does not imply faultlessness.  

So where is the boasting? How can Paul appeal to his conscience? Because, by being true to himself, Paul has tried to be true to God. When our conscience convicts, we may need to change. When we are acquitted it gives us strength to continue. Sometimes under the scrutiny of others the approval of our conscience is the only thing that brings gladness.

How does one obtain such a conscience? Paul lists several things here. First, “simplicity” implies that one has no ulterior or double motives. Second, in “godly sincerity” suggests trustworthiness and integrity.  Third, when one is not motivated by “fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God” they are not promoting themselves, but God. 

With such character one may be calm in the midst of the storm of slander and persecution. When one is called upon to take action against others, by knowing one is right, one can survive the onslaught of criticism.  Ultimately, one is strengthened when he feels he has God's approval.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting”. (Psalms 139:23,24)

George Slover

 

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  (2 Corinthians 7:1)

A pursuit of holiness is the Christian's lifelong ambition. To "put off the old man" and to "put on the new man" is the lofty goal. It is connected to the sinless life of Christ, the model of character and behavior.

The disciples are exhorted to cleanse their lives of fleshly defilements. Perhaps the reference here is to the idolatry and unchastity so prevalent in Corinth. A separation from old habits and associations are necessary, coupled with a focus on the purity of God.

At times one can become discouraged with this task. Old habits are hard to break, new wholesome ones are hard to begin. It is encouraging to know that spiritual growth is  gradual. The perfecting process is accomplished by setting daily goals, and constant, steady attention given to the task.

Paul appeals to the promises of God to motivate the disciples to this work. One of the sweetest thoughts in scripture is the very thought of God's reception of us, of a father-son relationship. What an awesome thought that God would say, "I will be there God, and they shall be by people."  (2 Corinthians 6:16)

The perfecting process must also be coupled with fear. I am amazed at the number of times that fear and holiness are coupled together in Scripture. “Be holy, for I am holy.”
 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear." (1 Peter 1:16,17) Remembering that we live each day in his holy presence, and the tender dread of offending him in anyway will help us to move in the right direction.

Thus, in the fear of God, and with our hearts encouraged by his promises, let us be determined to manifest God's holiness. God says, be holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:1:16)

by George Slover
 

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Four times in this song God is called “the Rock", the unchangeable refuge and stronghold of the people. The Hebrew word "sur" means a very large rock or boulder. This name for God appears mainly in this song and later in the Psalms. Jesus Christ is also called a rock.  (see Matthew 16:18;  1 Corinthians 10:4)

During the time of Israel's wilderness wondering they would have seen a lot of rock. It was at the rock of Mt. Sinai the law was proclaimed. When Moses "saw" God he hid in the cleft of the rock. From a rock Israel received water. When David hunted in the wilderness he too would find refuge in a rock.

"Rock" is a symbol of who God is. The verse says "for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice”. The broad context is a contrast between the moral excellence of God and Israel’s sin. (verse 15) This description of God also symbolizes his eternal existence (Psalm 90:21), his might and power (Daniel 4:35), his wise counsel (Isaiah 40:13), his steadfast purpose (Psalm 33:11), and the faithfulness of his word (Psalm 119:89,90).

These remarkable attributes of God thus translate into what God is to his people. Like a rock, God provides shelter from the elements (Psalm 46:1-3), he is protection from the enemy (Psalm 18:2). God and his word provide a solid spiritual foundation. (Matthew 7:24,25)

As Israel passed through the wilderness, God their rock was a source of refreshing water, shelter from the storm, and a source of wise counsel. Later Psalmists used the same figure to describe what God meant to them. Today, Christ the solid rock, the "Rock of of Ages" will provide shelter to any who wish to receive him.

By George Slover 
 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Hope is a confident expectation of the future.  It should include both what we desire and what we anticipate.  I've often said if we could bottle it up and sell it we would be rich, for men and women of every nation long for it.

God is the true and only source of hope.  Paul begins this prayer by calling on the God of hope. Any real and worthy of hope is fixed on God and centered in God. Paul prays that these saints might overflow with the hope which God supplies.

If one's hope is fixed on human schemes they will be sorely disappointed, but if hope is in God it has a solid foundation. This hope is an “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). It is founded on God's unchanging counsel. It is a living hope that thrives on a resurrected Savior, and bolstered by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Actually the thread of this verse reaches back to the thought revealed in verse 12. The “root of Jesse”, the Lord Jesus Christ, was to be a common source of hope for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul prays this common hope would motivate the Jews and Gentiles to accept and love one another in Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God (Romans 15:7). God’s plan of redemption was designed to reconcile these two different peoples to God and to one another.

If God's people would allow Him to fill them with the joy and peace of Christ, perhaps the short tempers and harsh words that bring strife and contention would dissolve. Then we could focus all of our energies and our passions on the common acceptance that we enjoy through the God of hope.

By George Slover