"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." (2 Corinthians 2:17)
The verses before this one talk about our witness and end by saying, "And who is adequate for such things?" In other words what's the motive? I got to thinking about that very thing when I read verse 17, there's a contrast about it, an important one.
Peddling - carry around and offer (goods) for sale, typically advertising them by shouting. A Hawker.
Sincerity - the quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy.
I came across something the other day that reminded me about that same type of contrast, we all share it, we all choose it or not. There are ideas, things we accept or don't every day without even a second thought. But we think twice before sharing them and maybe even harder about who we share them with. Now let me leave you with two thoughts that are sort of questions at the same time.
Would you share or not share something you've accepted as "ok" already if you thought it would offend people?
Would you share or not share something you knew would offend people because of what they may then think of you?
Do you peddle your wares? Or bring a sincere offering? If so, why so?
I have to ask myself frequently and I thought it may be relevant to some of you.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am", apart from being in Christ I may as well be just another "Midway Hawker".
"but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
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