Focus your faith on Him – Day 3

The Corinthians complained that Paul had not been open and honest with them; although he promised to visit Corinth again, Paul had backed out twice. Was Paul being insincere? Was he manoeuvring behind the scenes to get his way behind others’ backs?

Paul addresses these questions in 2 Corinthians 1:12-14. He is proud that his behaviour among the Corinthians has been transparent at all times. He cancelled his visits, not to gain an advantage for himself or save face, but because he did not want to shame or rebuke the Corinthians again. Therefore, he delayed coming back to Corinth in the hope that, when he did return, he could bring joy rather than recrimination and reproof (2 Corinthians 1:23-24).

Though Paul’s integrity had been questioned, he knew that because of his history of transparency with them, they would continue to trust him. “We have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity,” he reminds them.

We demand transparency from our governments, our bosses and our friends, but are we ourselves transparent so that people have a reason to trust us? On a daily basis, we face the temptation to hide the truth. Are we pretending to support co-workers in their presence, but speaking behind their backs? Paul’s example shows us that this is wrong.

And if the people around us cannot trust us, can God?