2 Corinthians 6
1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."[a] I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul's Hardships
3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Do Not Be Yoked With Unbelievers
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."[c]
17"Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."[d]
18"I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."[e]
Footnotes:
[a] 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
[b] 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
[c] 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
[d] 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
[e] 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
2 comments:
2 Cor 6
Words to live by wouldn’t you say? We should all commit to memorize verses 3-10. I have to say that I really fall short in some of these categories. My prayer is that the thoughts of this world that consume me will be converted to ones which are like Paul’s; completely devoted to further God’s kingdom. How amazing would it be to live in a way that people would say the same things about you? Hope you guys had a great weekend.
In Christ,
cas
2 Cor 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
This one has always gotten me since I heard it at a men's ministry some years back. There is a slight, and subtle difference between ministering through our everyday lives, where we work among unbelievers, and working with unbelievers. I know and believe that we should always be living and breathing emissaries of God, but that does not mean we continually do the work of unbelievers to a degree or sense that it pulls us farther from God. I think that the overriding goal is to work to grow closer to God, and b sharing your yoke with someone who isn't Godly there are too many distractions and opportunities that we have to slide away from God. Do I mean we should avoid all working contact with unbelievers, obviously not, instead I mean we need to just check which working relationships actually bring us down and keep us from growing closer to God. Of course, that's much easier said than done, and do I have relationships that detract me somewhat I'm sure. Its just something to keep in mind.
Lord, You know I need you today with this exam. Please continue to simply let Your will be done, and we know taht your loving nature will provide for all of us. Guide cas and ER through their struggles and decisions today and upcoming. Continue to bless our group with its amazing resurgence, and motivate us all to better ourselves and each other, mostly so that we may grow closer to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
crb
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