Three-Fold Testimony of Integrity

#WDRBmedia.com TikTok Jcohen2911

2 Cor. 1:12-15 (NLT) 12: “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and 13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14, even if you don’t understand us now. Then, on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you. 15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice” [1]

[1] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), 2 Co 1:12–15.

I.                    The Three-Fold Test of Integrity

Paul Brings the Three-Fold Test of Integrity to Corinth

1.  In our Text, Paul “PRESENTS” in 2 Corinthians 1:12-15, where he “CALLS” on “Believers” to “REJOICE” “Three Testimonies.” They include 1. Testimony of Conscience, 2. Testimony of Conversation, and 3. Testimony of Confidence. Here, we can use our study of the “Three” to ascertain the importance of this “Three-Fold” TEST of “INTEGRITY” the presence of the “TRIUNE” we can surmise that God’s ‘INTEGRITY’ is the ‘Divine.’ We as “Believers” should have what I ‘Call’ a ‘Holy’ INTEGRITY! Because it models the example set forth by Christ Jesus.

2.    Holy ‘INTEGRITY’ follows the “EXAMPLE” set forth by Christ Jesus. The Hebrew word “TUMMAH" is the root word for " INTEGRITY," WHICH translates to mean without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness.” The Greek word is “OLOKLEROS,” meaning “WHOLESS and COMPLETENESS.”

3. ‘INTEGRITY’ in the New Testament means “honesty and adherence” to a pattern of good works. Jesus is the perfect example of a man of “INTEGRITY.” After He was baptized, He went into the wilderness too fast for forty days and nights, during which time Satan could “NOT” break His “INTEGRITY” and “CORRUPT Him. Jesus is the only one who was ever without blemish, perfect, completely truthful, and always showing a pattern of good works.

II. Can We Pass the Three-Fold Integrity Test Today?

1.  In my preparation, there are to ‘INTEGRITY’ quotes that stuck with me:

a.  “Everyone makes mistakes, but only a person with ‘INTEGRITY’ owns up to them!”

b. “If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.”

2.    Integrity” in our world today implies moral incorruptibility. Christians should be those who cannot

be bribed or compromised because we serve God rather than men. Col. 3:17, 23 says, “17 And

whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God

the Father. [1] 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather

than for people.

3.    So, as a “Testament” of the ‘Believers’ in Corinth to God’s authority, and how they should continue

to show themselves as being those who follow Jesus with the same “Integrity that He exhibited on

this earth, he presented a “Three-Fold “Testimony of Integrity.

4.   2 Cor. 1:12-15 (NLT) 12 “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with

a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our

own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and 13 Our letters

have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t

understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14 even if you don’t understand us now.

Then, when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of

you. 15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by

visiting you twice” [2]

5. The “Three-Fold” Testimony Test that forms the character of Christ-like “Integrity” is: 1. In your

Conscience, 2. In your Conversation, and 3. In your Confidence. Now, before we “EXPLORE” the   

   individual testimonies, first we must define what is meant by “Testimony” according to the New

Testament.

a. The Greek word for “Testimony” is “Marturia,” which conveys the idea of bearing “Witness.”

to something or giving evidence about something.

b. In the “Context” of the Bible, “Testimony” often refers to a person’s public “Declaration” of their

faith in God, their experiences with God, or their “Commitment” to following God’s commandments.

Amen! Somebody!

c.       So, now we can “Explore” whether or NOT, we can “GIVE” (Speak 0n) and ACT upon (Being

committed) to the “Three-Fold” Test of Integrity today. Hallelujah, somebody!

Testimony of Your Conscience

1. 2 Cor. 1: 12 (a) says, “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We will deal with “Confidence” later. But right now, we want to turn our attention to a clear “CONSCIENCE.” The Greek word “SYNEIDISI,”.” In the New Testament, “CONSCIENCE” is often associated with moral decision-making, self-awareness, and inner sense of ‘Right-and-Wrong.’

2. When we make a “TESTIMONY” of our “CONSCIENCE” today, it means that you  “WILLINGLY” to bear “WITNESS” before the “TRIUNE” God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that you are “FOLLOWING” the example set forth by Christ Jesus in maintaining a clear “CONSCIENCE,”  being sensitive to moral issues, and making the “right” decisions that align with the “BELIEFS” and “VALUES” set forth before us in the Ministry works of Christ Jesus! It is does “NOT” mean this “TESTIMONY” is perfect, and without Trials, Tribulation, and Storms! It a “TESTAMENT” of how you Got “Over!” Got “Over your “Mess!”  NOT because of “ANYTHING you did! “TESTIMONY” of CONSCIENCE is gifted to you by grace and mercy of the Lord because your “RELATIONSHIP” is “RIGHTLY” aligned with Him!! So that now, your previous MESS, STORMS, TRIALS, and TRIBULATIONS convicted your “INTEGRITY” to walk Christ-like to be your “TESTIMONY” on the “CONSCIENCE” Spirit of God that now resides in you! Now, you can have a “TESTIMONY of CONSCIENCE” that has a dwelling place in you! When we “Walk” in the Christ-like “TESTIMONY of our CONSCIENCE.” Are you ready to walk into your gifted Christ-like “INTERGRITY” by embracing your “TESTIMONY of CONSCIENCE?”

Testimony of Conversation

1.       2 Cor. 1: 12 (b) (NLT) says, “we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. NRSV version says, “We have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.” [1] 

a.       In this text, the Apostle Paul is expressing his “CONFIDENCE” in the “INTEGRITY” of his actions because as we said earlier, “INTEGRITY,” which follows in the examples set forth by Christ Jesus, without blemish, perfect, completely truthful, and always showing good works, where Christ said,” The Son of Man did NOT come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

b. Paul highlights his “Conduct” towards the Corinthians, which is marked by the same “sincerity” and “grace” that Jesus exhibited for Apostle Paul. He certainly continues to be in the midst of us today! Paul’s “CONSCIENCE” is Clear, and our CONSCIENCE” should be, too! Paul “Behaved “ in his ministry with “SIMPLICITY” AND godly “SINCERITY” as he followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and we should be following th same example. Our words should always be the Words of God! Should the Gospel. Our “INTEGITY of CONVERSATION” should always be in the image and likeness of Jesus. Phili.3:20 says, “Our “CITIZENSHIP” is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amos 3:3 says, “Do TWO walk together unless they have “AGREED” to meet?” Lastly, Eph. 4:29 says, 29 “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”[2]

TESTIMONY of CONFIDENCE

1. 2 Cor. 1: 15 says, “15 And in this confidence, I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;” [3] The Greek word for “CONFIDENCE” is ‘parrhesia,’ which means ‘Faith” in God, ‘Certainty, and ‘Assurance’ of the ‘Believers’ relationship with God. The ‘Believers’ are encouraged with a sense of ‘Boldness’ that is dependent on the Children of God’s ‘Acceptance’ by God.

2.  The “INTERGITY” Test of “CONFIDENCE” is a ‘Conviction’ that We, as ‘Believers,’ are ‘Secure’ in our Fath, Trust, Assurance, and Confidence that the Kingdom of God is our ‘Destiny’ because He loves us so much that He as gifted it to ‘Dwell” in us! 1 Tim. 1:7 says, “7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline. ] Hebrews 13:6 says, “6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Remember: God loves you, Jesus loves you, and the Holy Spirit will Guide, Comfort, Protect, and Provide for you! And I love you, and there is nothing you can do about it!