Is Your Yes Trustworthy?

Sometimes I really feel sorry for Paul. He was originally named Saul and he was the chief tormentor and persecutor of the early church. He had an encounter with God and became the most famous promoter of early Christianity, even writing many of the books and letters of the New Testament.

But his bad reputation continued to follow him.  Many did not trust his conversion and thought he had some ulterior motives or a secret agenda of some kind.

And so it is in this passage of Scripture that he is trying, once again, to convince the people of the Corinth church that he has a clear conscience and is seeking to have their best interests at heart. Paul wanted them to know that he was telling them every thing he knew and not holding anything back.

If we have ever been dishonest with someone, it is hard to regain their trust and favor. You can be as honest as you know how, but the other person still has their guard up. And rightly so! You know the old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” It may be months or years until you are trusted again. Maybe never!

But Paul is telling these people that he is representing God. When God says “yes”, God means it. When God says “No”, God means that, too. Paul tells the church that he is God’s representative and thus his yes will be yes and his no will be no.

Let us live our lives so that people we encounter will be able to trust our word.

Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, please help us to have an honest heart and one that is trustworthy. Amen