2 Cor. 1:12-14

"Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus."
2 Cor. 1:12-14

Trust! Wow, trust is such a big thing in relationships... something that is easily destroyed and hard to get back. I love Paul's confidence as he is basically saying to the Corinthian believers, "You can trust me and my buddies!" They know their motives and can say with a clear conscience that God has enabled them to conduct themselves in a way that is pure and genuine relative to their relationship with the people. This relationship is rooted in God's grace not worldly wisdom. I am not entirely sure what Paul is referring to when he says worldly wisdom, but let me take a stab at it. I believe Paul is referring to using relationships to advance one's own agenda. We see this happen all the time in the world. As long as the relationship is benefiting me somehow and in some way, then everything is cool, but when a person's relationship quits benefiting the other person things go south. Paul assures the people that his relationship with them is based on God's grace and his desire is not to use them for his own gain. He genuinely cares for the people and will relate to them within the boundaries of a sincere relationship. Sometimes this means tears are shed together, hearts rejoice together, and time is offered in service to one another. Other times it means that confrontation is made for their friends benefit. Its called friendship... its called sincere love. Anytime the boundaries of a friendship is breached, mistrust follows close behind. So what are the boundaries...

1. Genuinely care! People can detect when they are being used in a relationship very quickly. Be willing to offer your time and energy to help a friend when they need it.
2. Protect your friend! By the way, many times we slander those we call friends for personal gain... don't we?
3. Keep a confidence! If it is a situation that is harmful for the person or others, then be honest to your friend about what he or she needs to do, and that others might have to know about it.
4. Confront when necessary! If your friend needs confronted about something then ignoring it does not do your friend any favors. Keeping the peace in a relationship at the expense of the physical, emotional, or spiritual health of your friend is selfish and not really friendship!
5. Be honest! Quickest way to mistrust, is to overstep this boundary!

Paul is shouting to the people... "You can trust me... I am a genuine friend!" Lets take his example and stay within the boundaries of friendship with those whom we dare to call friends!

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