"Sincerity"

Peter was convinced that those brethren who read his God inspired letter were of sincere minds. As he wrote his second letter, he was reminding them of some things they could attach themselves to for their spiritual health. "This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder." (II Pet. 3:1)

A person with a "sincere mind" wants to know, grasp hold and do something with God's word they hear. A "sincere mind" desires purity and wanting to please the Lord in all aspects of their lives. Listen carefully: "To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed." (Titus 1:15-16) Those without a "sincere mind" are defiled and unbelieving. They can talk about God but they have their own mind set leading them downward.

A "sincere mind" produces a "sincere faith." A faith that is pure and unmixed. A faith that is genuine and real. It is a faith that looks honestly at the word of God and allows God to lead them forward. "Now examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." (I Thes. 5:21-22) A person with a "sincere faith" examines things before they become involved and avoids anything that might deteriorate them spiritually. They are concerned about purity!

"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (I Tim. 1:5) The goal of all preaching and teaching should be focused right here. Instead of looking for something to waste time, or make people laugh and entertain them, a "sincere mind" and a "sincere faith" from a preacher/teacher realizes what is at stake and what God is trying to produce in others through their teaching. "For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussions." (I Tim. 1:6) Fruitless discussions are the best way to destroy the sincerity in the hearers. To teach things that yield nothing, about nothing other than worldly topics will ruin the brethren! "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." (II Cor. 2:17) Paul saw himself as one not just peddling wares, taking up time and space but realized his teaching/preaching was in the presence of God and Christ which created a sincerity in him. A "sincere mind" and a "sincere faith" keeps true to God and His word at all cost!

Peter wrote to stir up the brethren's "sincere mind." Paul told the preacher Timothy to preach the things that created sincerity and purity. We need to be a people with a "sincere mind and faith." How sincere are you?