Three-Fold Testimony of Your Integrity

#WDRBMedia.com #29Jeremiah

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] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House

Publishers, 2015), 2 Co 1:12–15.

I. Introduction

The Three-Fold Test of Our Integrity

Paul Brings the Three-Fold Test of Integrity 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,’ and we as “Believers” should have what I ‘Call’ a ‘Holy’ INTEGRITY! Because it models the example set forth by Christ Jesus.

2.    Holy ‘INTERGRITY’ 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,” which means “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.

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.

c. 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. 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 coneys 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 out attention to a clear “CONSCIENCE.” The Greek word “SYNEIDISI,”.” In the

New Testament, the concept of “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 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 “INTERGRITY” 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 “Conducts” towards the Corinthians which is marked by the same “sincerity”

and “grace” which Jesus exhibited for Apostle Paul, and He certainly continued to be in the midst

of us today! Paul’s “CONSCIENCE” is Clear, and our should 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 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?”

And 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 Corinthians 1:15 states, "And in this confidence, I intended to come to you before so that you might benefit twice." The Greek word for "confidence" is 'parresia,' which signifies 'faith' in God, 'certainty,' and 'assurance' of the believers' relationship with God. Believers are thus endowed with a sense of 'boldness' that stems from being accepted by God as His children.

2.  The “INTERGITY” Test of “CONFIDENCE” is a ‘Conviction’ that, We, as ‘Believers,’ are ‘Secure’ in

our Fath, Trust, Assurance, and Confidence that 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. [2] 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?” [3]

Closing Reflections

3. Paul calls on believers to rejoice in the three testimonies: the Testimony of Conscience, the Testimony of Conversation, and the Testimony of Confidence. Through our study of these three, we can understand the significance of this tri-fold test of integrity. In the presence of the Triune, we deduce that God's integrity is divine, and as believers, we should emulate what I term 'Holy Integrity.' This reflects the example set by Christ Jesus, whose holy integrity we strive to follow.

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