2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom… (sermon to the young): — Let us — I. NOTE THE FACTS TO WHICH PAUL LINKS HIS SINGLENESS AND HONESTY OF PURPOSE, 1. Christ was not yea and nay. (1) In His personal character He was yea. He combined the gracefulness and flexibility of the willow and the strength of the oak, but He had no double-mindedness. He adapted Himself to the trembling sinner and the confident Pharisee, but He was one and the same notwithstanding. (2) So was and is His gospel. Adapted to all classes and conditions, it accommodates itself to none. It has not one set of doctrines for the favoured few and another for the world. 2. The promises of God. There is no vacillation about them. God means all He says, and He says what He means. 3. But what had these to do with the charge of trimming? The answer is in verses 21, 22. Paul's character was modelled on the character of Christ: he had not acted according to the flesh, but according to the new nature formed by the Spirit of Christ. We have here a notable example of bringing the common things of life under the powers of the world to come. The apostle had planned a journey, and to change it might seem a small matter. But not so with Paul. His purposes were formed, and could only be changed under the eye of the Great Master. And he was so imbued with His Spirit, that he could not do otherwise. II. EXAMINE SOME VARIETIES OF YEA AND NAY MEN. 1. The wicked yea and nay men — the man who intentionally, and without regard to right or wrong, is now yea and now nay, as best suits his purpose. This man is a saint with saints, and a devil with devils. As a politician he is Whig or Tory, democrat or aristocrat, provided only he can attain his end. In religion, business, and social life he is all things unto all men in a bad sense. 2. The weak yea and nay man may not be at heart a bad man. He would not deliberately lie or drink or swear to be in keeping with his company; but within certain limits he is as variable as the wind. You never know when you have him. He is like the chameleon which has no colours of his own, but "borrows from his neighbour's hue." 3. The compound of these two. There are those in whom you find wickedness so combined that you cannot say whether the fool or the knave predominates — objects now of anger, now of pity. 4. There are also instances of yea-and-nayness in the lives of the most honest and courageous under temptation — Peter. III. URGE THE CULTIVATION OF THE OPPOSITE CHARACTER. Be not yea and nay men — 1. In the morals of life and of business. You have just entered on life, will you surrender yourselves to the evil current or will you resist it? Yea-and-nayness may bring temporary success, but it spells ruin in the long run. 2. In the department of religion and faith. The question determined of old on Carmel should be determined by you now. Is your life to be godless or godly? 3. In the practical following out of your Christian principles. (J. Kennedy, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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