Resources/Articles
Truth Is Deeper Than Sincerity
A few years ago, a group of preachers from different churches met once a month to eat lunch and enjoy talking about sports, politics, house repairs, and insurance. Some men of the group thought about giving their group a name, but never seemed to come up with one. One day, someone remarked, tongue-in-cheek when they were discussing a subject, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere about it.” On that day, their group was given the name “The Sincerity Club.”
Someone would order a sandwich and another member of the group would say, “But are you sincere about that order?” When they went to the register to pay for food, the clerk would ask, “Did you enjoy your meal?” The answer was “YES.” A member of their group standing behind them asked, “Are you sincere about that?” It became to be such a ridiculous mockery that their true sincerity meant nothing.
Sincerity for what you believe sounds so American, so tolerant, and so reasonable. The only problem - it is not truthful. What you believe does matter! The doctrine upon which you establish your faith does matter to you and all those around you. It does make an eternal difference. “Not everyone that saith unto Me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Would you agree that a believer in the Jehovah Witness doctrine is sincere in his belief? Would you not a agree that many TV evangelists are sincere in their beliefs? Would you not agree that a devout Islam fundamentalist is sincere in his hatred of others? Would you not agree Saul was sincere in persecuting Christians (Acts 26:9)?
In spite of what we have been told by religious theologians, cultural educators, and the media elite, not all philosophical, religious, psychological, and theological roads lead to God. Only one road leads to God - Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). Jesus did not believe all religions are equal. The best thing for them is to be uprooted (Matthew 15:13,14). Jesus’ way is the exclusive way to please God. The only view we need is God’s as seen through His inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Faith accepts God’s will as the pattern for the church, salvation, morality, worship, name, and personal life.
Jesus prayed His disciples might be sanctified by the truth, not sincerity (John 17:17). Sincerity will often change with every new religious or social movement. Truth remains steadfast and immovable in spite of the change in a person’s sincerity. Conviction founded upon truth has a better survival rate than emotional sincerity. Have your belief fastened to truth, not sincerity.
