Now Is The Day Of Salvation
Second Corinthians Six
Paul used a
beautiful idea for Christians as being "workers together." He felt
that each Christian was a partner and should be helping in God's work. He
pleaded with the brethren at Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in
vain. Grace alone does not save. It must produce the correct actions on our
part. "In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation
have I helped thee" is a quote from Isaiah 49:8. Now is the time of
salvation. There may not be a more convenient time than this. (Acts 24:25) Paul
tried to do his work for God in such a way as not to offend or cause anyone to
stumble. He did not want the work of the Lord to be discredited in any way. Our
actions are a reflection upon the Lord, either good or bad.
Our life, in everything, must prove that we are a servant of the
Lord. Others should see that we are true Christians, serving God with our
hearts. In all kinds of situations we must be God's faithful ministers, even
through persecution and hardships. When Paul spoke of being a minister of
Christ the first thing on his list was "patience." Patience is needed
both in dealing with people and in dealing with afflictions. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12) Christ controlled Paul's life. He
would not allow circumstances to be in control. Victory in Christ kept Paul
from being distressed in life. He faced prison and all kinds of difficulties
for the sake of Christ. He often faced stripes, imprisonments, tumults,
beatings, sleeplessness and fastings in his ministry.
Paul's ministry was with love that was genuine, sincere, and
without hypocrisy. He realized that his righteousness and his defense came from
the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 Paul used nine pairs of contrasting terms to
describe his ministry. He possessed all spiritual blessings as a minister of
Christ. He wanted the Corinthians to know that he had opened his heart to them.
The Corinthians had caused many of their own problems because of where their
hearts were. They blamed Paul but he was not at fault. He wanted them to open
their hearts to him and the message he was sending.
Paul taught these brethren to shun any relationship that would
influence then in a negative way toward Christianity. Christians must not align
themselves with those that are unfaithful, faithless, unbelieving and that
cannot be trusted. Christians are the
Workers
together for God 2 Corinthians 6:1-5: Let us make good use of the
opportunities that are ours by the grace of God as we labor together in the
Conduct that brings glory to God 2 Corinthians 6:6-10:
The statements in these verses show what Paul had done to have God's approval
as a faithful minister of Christ. Paul lived a holy life. He consecrated
himself to the cause of God. His life was devoted to being an honor to the
Creator. He endeavored to lead a life unspotted from the world, marked by
patience, kindness and gentleness. His heart and life was filled with genuine
love that was not pretended. His actions were guided by the word of truth.
Paul's work was a great success because of the power of God. He armed himself
with the righteousness of God and stood firm in the faith. With nine
contrasting expressions Paul showed that he had made wise choices in his
ministry. "By honour and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as
deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold,
we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always
rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing
all things." (2 Corinthians 6:8-10) The desire of Paul was that his
conduct would bring glory to God.
An open heart of love 2 Corinthians
6:11-13: Paul and his fellow preachers had freely spoken the gospel to
the Corinthians. He had used the same kind of openness and freedom as he
discussed problems that needed to be corrected at
Be not
unequally yoked 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Obviously it is a very unwise
choice for a Christian to marry a non-Christian. But the thing that Paul
forbids here is for Christians to have close association with idolaters. Christians
cannot take on teachings or practices that would fall into the category of
unrighteousness. For what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness? In spiritual matters truth and error simply cannot go together.
Paul asked five questions to prove that Christians cannot be unequally joined
to idolaters. He asked, (1) what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteous-ness?
(2) What communion hath light with darkness? (3) What concord hath Christ with
Belial? (4) What part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And (5) what
agreement hath the
Will you allow Jesus to control you life whether things are easy
or difficult? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans