Letters of correspondence are usually ended with the word sincerely, in a desire for communication to end with a tone of cordiality and authenticity.
What does the Bible mean when it talks about a sincere faith? There might be a bit of a surprise when we examine the biblical meaning of the word sincere.
I once heard Dr. David Jeremiah do a word study on this passage. The word sincere comes from two Greek words, sine and cera, which together mean “without wax.” A stone sculpturer of that day, who might not be honest, would accidently crack a statue and fill in the crack with bee’s wax. He would carefully paint over the repaired fracture and sell it with the flaw unbeknownst to the buyer. People who knew of this practice would ask if the statue was sincere, meaning without wax and with no defects.
How does this meaning of a sincere faith relate to our lives today as Christians? The issue is not really about us being perfect. We are all marred creations. But are we covering up our imperfections? Jesus, though not condoning their sin, did not condemn the prostitutes and tax collectors who were pretty flawed people. The Pharisees, on the other hand, took some harsh criticism from the Lord. These religious leaders were always putting wax on their cracks. Outwardly, they appeared righteous but, inwardly, their hearts were evil. They were not sincere people.
Don’t mask over who you really are with religious expertise. This only portrays your own righteousness, which the Bible calls “filthy rags.” Be open and honest about your inadequacies and trust God for His mercy and grace to change. The latter will cause the righteousness of Christ to shine forth from your life.
Chose a life sincerely about Christ.
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Ken Barnes has had a twenty-five year career in educational pursuits. He has taught in various public and private schools in Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Virginia. He also worked for seventeen years with Youth With A Mission as a school leader, recruiter, and director. Ken holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the author of The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places. He currently is a speaker, blogger, and freelance writer. Ken lives with his wife Sharon in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Visit Ken at https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/