It was drilled into us, both as women and in society in the 1950’s and beyond, to have “Good Housekeeping”, like the magazine cover states, which I found many copies of, that we will save, cleaning up my old family farmhouse. These vintage 75yr old gems are just paper, sure, saved stacked and stashed away, but the sentimental thing about them is the LOVE of mom’s, grandma’s, great grandma’s that wanted to keep good housekeeping for their families. 

We as society, especially influenced by social media in each era had/has ways to show ideas (sometimes over-ideals) in the form of help (from cookie recipes to the latest diet fads) and these magazines had ways that made folks dream but even be jealous in comparison… But most likely they were printed in good faith of good housekeeping ideas.

Yet, the most important thing is to not get carried away with in worldliness, of world trends or craving worth from the world, even from people. 

In a spiritual sense, it’s a bit more serious, well deeply serious, to have GOOD HOUSEKEEPING of one’s beliefs, to know truth over trip-ups, to self test and confirm our calling. 

Apostle Paul was ADAMANT yet GENTLE in asking the wayward Corinthians: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?”… Paul hoped and prayed: “And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.”

Many of Paul’s writings speak of being in authority given as a church leader, yet he knew it is each person who has to come to the TRUTH in JESUS by a gift of faith conviction not just conformist ways. Completeness comes by faith and Holy Spirit sparks to know not just OF Jesus but know Jesus IN oneself, not just someone we have read about or by mirroring actions. Faith is in faith.

And the benefits of being IN Jesus and His Ways IN us, are to continue acting according to His calling, wherever He leads us… “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” – and this includes loving, sharing, teaching, witnessing, being fair, gentle, genuine and trustworthy plus being kind, having self control and even withstand long-suffering. 

It’s never been easy to not be conformist in society’s pressures, for dozens and hundreds of years and we probably shouldn’t for glamor or greed. Don’t be devilishly distracted by temporary gain. Instead be faithful with being Jesus-cleaned, cleared, clarified and considerate. Jesus confronts us, like He confronted Paul, but does not condemn us. Conviction by Spirit into firm faithfulness is for our benefit to draw closer to Him… We learn by His leadership to maintain good internal housekeeping with His Help… 

Amen 

—

2 Corinthians 13 NKJV
Coming with Authority
This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness
Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction
Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.