Monday, 6 August 2018

To walk in sincerity

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Question of the day: Joshua 24:14 contains this phrase "... fear Adonai and worship Him in sincerity" What does it mean, "in sincerity"?

Answer: As you might imagine, we have to look into the Hebrew to get some deeper understanding. The word translated as "sincerity" is Tamim and is used 91 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, but only translated in this way, this one time. Here are all of the translations as provided by Strong's.

blameless (22), blamelessly (1), complete (1), entire (1), full (1), intact (1), integrity (4), perfect (5), sincerity (1), unblemished (2), uprightly (1), who is perfect (1), whole (2), without blemish (12), without defect (36).

As you can see, the emphasis is on blameless and without defect. When it is used to describe us, it is "blameless". When it is used to describe an animal sacrifice, it is "without defect".

Father Abraham received this command from God in Genesis 17:1. As children of Father Abraham (Galatians 3:29) we also are so commanded, but just like Father Abraham, we have a problem; a problem called sin. Therefore; God sent His only begotten son for sin. (Galatians 1:3-5)

There are 3 parts to our current situation, Satan (the adversary), us (we ourselves), and God. Satan and us have a sin problem. You can't fix a problem with more of the problem. We need God, who sent His Son. (1 John 2:2 & 4:10). Let us receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and thus fulfill the command first given to Father Abraham and walk Tamim before God.