II Corinthians 2:14

II Corinthians 1:12

“By the Grace of God”

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 says, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the word, and more abundantly to you-ward. For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

In learning basic Bible doctrines and how the Holy Trinity, with Jesus Christ the son, as the head of the Holy trinity is the difference between law and grace and the way law and grace goes together, it is important think about the word testimony. The word used here for testimony means witness. The word testament refers to the promise of God, the good news of the gospel of Christ. The good news is Jesus paid the debt for the sins of the world. If you repent to Christ you will have eternal life.

The word testament and testimony go together because concerning the promises of the Gospel there is only one faithful witness, Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 42:5 says, “Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.” Revelation 1:5 says, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 3:14 says, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”

2 Corinthians 1:12 says, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” There is great joy in having a clear conscience; joy from the Spirit of God. All men are sinners But Christ was without sin. The more you learn about the righteousness and Holiness of God through Christ, the more it will help you to keep your consciences clean and keep you from doing wrong. A testimony of your conscience is a perfect work for the gospel of Christ.

This is what the word conversation refers too. The word conversation refers to your life as a whole, your manner of life, what you do each day from sunrise to sunset to sunrise again. I Corinthians chapter 1 explains basic Bible doctrine and then these verses talk about suffering for Christ, comfort through fellowship with other Christians, and how doing what is right will be your greatest source of joy in times of persecution. There is no greater challenge in life than to live by faith in Jesus Christ and His promises. All men are sinners. Therefore all men fail. Even the strongest Christian, even the mightiest tree still fails from time to time. What a joy it is as a Christian to know that even when our conscience and our testimony fails, the testimony of Christ will always be one of righteousness and grace.

The words simplicity and Godly sincerity are a way of explain what honesty means. Honesty is more than just what you say it, it is also your motivation and whether or not you truly believe what you are saying. When the words you say are the Word of God and it is said in simplicity and godly sincerity then the Spirit of God will do a great work and will use you in a grace for grace way. The truth should be used truthfully to glorify the name Christ otherwise it is not simplicity and Godly sincerity. A testimony is not a testimony without simplicity and Godly sincerity. This why it is by the grace of God. It is always the grace of God through Christ. By grace through faith and not of works; because man is sinful. Whenever you do do what is right and not sinful it is because of the grace of God and not your own strength. You are sinful. The LORD Christ is the faithful witness. 2 Corinthians 1:12 says, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

I Corinthians 1:13-14, “For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end As ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.” To read and to acknowledge unto the end is to be a faithful witness. It is not about how much you fail or how much you sin because all mean are weak and sinful. Christ is always the one with strength. If you read and acknowledge the word of God in your life and always try day by day to do this then you are not a failure in life. It does matter how your life started. It does not matter how your life is broken by the world or your own failures, what matters most though is to read and to acknowledge the truth unto the end.

What is the end? It is the day of the LORD Jesus. Revelation 3:1-6 says, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefor how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”

Grace is something that God has given abundantly to the world in this age of grace. The best way to measure grace is by how much opportunity you have for the Word of God. Here in verse 14 of 2 Corinthians chapter 2 the Bible speaks of the day of the LORD. The day of the LORD refers to the return of Christ. For Christians the return of Christ is the twinkling of an eye at the last trump. The warning to Christians is to be watchmen of the Word of God in whatever way Christ has given you opportunity for. If you are not a watchman of the Word, then, when Christ returns to take His bride with Him, you will not be rejoicing in that moment. The greatest moment of joy and Christian fellowship for this world in this age is going to be at the return of Christ. Psalms 19:5-6, “Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat therefore.”

As a bridegroom coming out of His chamber Christ will come. This is why 2 Corinthians chapter 1 talks about Christians rejoicing one in another and rejoicing in Christ. The Church of Sardis had a problem. The problem was a sin problem. When you don’t repent of your sins to Christ your faith weakens. To become shipwrecked in the faith amidst a Babylonian persecution is to be a ship in the midst of the sea of mankind tossed to and fro.

America has become engaged to the devil. Ding! Ding! Ding! There is a silver bell ringing in America. America needs to repent of its sins and turn to Jesus. God wants Christians to have perfect works. In the last hours before the return of Christ there is so much grace and opportunity to tell lost souls about Jesus. Wake up! Strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die. Refine the dross to silver or gold. Do not miss out on the joy and fellowship of grace for grace.

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