Look! The apostles, for all their evident and undeniable defects, were sincere, simple and transparent. We too have evident and undeniable defects, may you not lack simplicity.
Humanly speaking, the first Apostles, for whom we have great affection and devotion for, have nothing to boast about. With the exception of Matthew, who probably earned a comfortable living which he left behind at the call of Jesus the Christ. The Apostles were mere fishermen who lived a meager existence, fishing all night to keep food on the table.
They were poor, they were ignorant and ironically, they weren’t very simple or open. In fact they were even ambitious. We read how frequently they argued over who would be the greatest when according to their understanding; Christ would definitively restore the kingdom of Israel. Amid the intimacy of the last supper, during that beautiful moment when Jesus Christ is about to sacrifice Himself for all of humanity, we find them arguing heatedly. Yes, they were humans like you and l and are bound to behave as such but they were sincere.
Sincerity is the virtue of one who communicates and acts in accordance with the entirety of their feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and desires. God wants us to do everything with Sincerity and Truth, a right Heart and right Mind. Sincerity can help us avoid stumbling or causing others to stumble as we approach Jesus Christ’s return.
Resolve firmly, to be fiercely sincere in spiritual direction (always keeping your good manners) and to be sincere immediately. (The Forge, 127)
Simplicity and sincerity, though inseparable, may be distinguished. The former is
the principle from which the latter is derived. Simplicity primarily respects the frame of our spirit in the sight of God; Sincerity more directly regards our conduct as it falls under the observation of men. It is true, the terms are frequently used interchangeably for each other, and may be so without occasioning any considerable mistake; but as they are not precisely the same, it may be proper, if we would speak accurately, to keep this distinction in view.
Some people, who have been more captivated with the name of simplicity than acquainted with its nature, have substituted in its stead a childishness of language and manners; as if they understood the word simple only in the mere rude sense, as equivalent to foolish. But this childhood softness gives just disgust to those who have a true taste and judgment of Divine things. An artificial or pretended simplicity is a contradiction in terms, and differs as much from the simplicity of the Gospel as paint does for beauty.
True simplicity, which is the honor and strength of a believer is the effect of a spiritual perception of the truths of the Gospel. It arises from and bears a proportion to the sense we have of our own unworthiness, the power and grace of the Christ, and the greatness of our obligations to Him. So far as our knowledge of these things is vital and experimental, it will make us simple-hearted. This simplicity may be considered in two respects, — simplicity of intention, and simplicity of dependence.
I need not to prove, that the effect of simplicity will be sincerity. For those who love the Lord above all, who prefer the light of His countenance to thousands of gold and silver, who are enabled to trust Him with all their concerns, and would rather be at His disposal than at their own, will have but little temptation to insincerity. The principles and motives upon which their conduct is formed are the same in public as in private. Their behavior will be all of one piece, because they have but one design. They will speak the truth in love, observe a strict punctuality in their dealings, and do unto others as they would others do unto them; because these things are essential to their great aim of glorifying and enjoying their Lord. Their conduct will therefore be consistent; and they will be able to appeal to all who know them in simplicity and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, they have conducted themselves in the world.”
Forgive me but I believe it is absolutely necessary for us to have deeply impressed on our minds the fact that Humility together with its immediate consequence, Sincerity; are the thread which links the other means together. So don’t let that devil mentioned in the Gospel get into your soul, he will spoil everything. Be Simple and Sincere in whatever you do.
