1:12 ¶ 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. 13 For we
write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust
ye shall acknowledge even to the end; 14
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.
Conversation is a word that often is used to define behavior and
conduct. Notice in the following verses how conversation refers to behavior and
actions.
Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’
religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted
it:
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the
lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The Corinthians are going to be part of what makes Paul rejoice
when Christ returns, the day of the Lord
Jesus. A metaphor is made elsewhere with the rejoicing over the converted
being likened to a crown of glory and honor. Often at public games a wreath or
garland was given to the victors.
1Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown
of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of
our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1:15 ¶ And in this confidence I
was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
16 And to pass by you into Macedonia,
and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way
toward Judaea. 17 When I therefore was
thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose
according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18 But as God is true, our
word toward you was not yea and nay. 19
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even
by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20 For all the promises of God in him are
yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in
Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts. 23 Moreover I call God for a
record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your
faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Paul is planning to stop by Corinth on his way to and from
Macedonia as he finally ventured back to Judea. He reinforces the positive
trustworthiness of what God had promised them through Jesus Christ.
Paul makes the declaration that they and, of course, we are sealed
by God and the Holy Spirit indwelling us is our earnest money, the deposit, if
you will, on our salvation. Again, he reinforces this in other places.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Romans, chapter 8, contains some important thoughts in this
regard.
9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit
of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none
of his.
10 ¶ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the
Spirit is life because of
righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of
him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ
from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth
in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors,
not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the
Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have
not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 ¶ And if children, then heirs;
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together. 18 For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For
the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him
who hath subjected the same in
hope, 21 Because the creature itself
also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious
liberty of the children of God. 22 For
we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until
now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption, to wit,
the redemption of our body.
Paul then states that he is not in control of their faith, does
not rule over them, but is a helper of their joy in Christ. They stand in faith
and Paul’s mission is to assist them, encourage them, correct them, and confirm
the truth of what they stand on. Paul, rather than being a dictator, is more of
a guide, like the Holy Spirit, pointing them in the right direction.
The Jews had circumcision as an outward sign of their relationship
to God. The Christians have the Holy Spirit’s indwelling as an inward sign of
their relationship to God. The proof of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling outwardly
is the fruit of the Spirit, the proof of it.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s
have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in
the Spirit.
The evidence of your having the Spirit of God, of Christ, residing
in you is not found in how short your lawn is mowed, how often you wash your
car, what you wear, or what rituals you adhere to but is found in the
outpouring from you of the fruit of the Spirit.
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