The Pain and Pleasure of Transparency by crw

2 Corinthians 4:2, "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."

 

     Paul and the other apostles desired that integrity be a hallmark of their lives and ministries.  Just as Christ lived always before the face of God, the apostles were conscious of this.  Paul and other gospel ministers associated with him displayed undisguised sincerity with reference to pleasing the One who always sees and knows our very steps and our deepest motivations.  When we start thinking God-wardly about the manner in which we carry ourselves, the weeds of hypocrisy will begin to wither and die.  The gospel (that is the context of this verse--the lava-hot center of revelation) makes us say things like what Tim Keller said, "...We are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin" (Timothy Keller, http://mail.google.com/mail/#label/Of+First+Importance/119fb104f9c86ec4, Internet 2008).  How we need...no, how I need desperately a constant dose of transparency as a minister of God's gospel.  I need the pain of seeing my sin.  I want the pleasure of seeing my Savior.