June 23, 2 Corinthians 6
Paul worked hard to bring the good news of God’s grace to people everywhere. He wanted them to know about and respond to God’s amazing grace, to be saved and to be sustained by it throughout their lives. He warned people not to receive grace in vain, but to respond in a timely way to God’s gracious offer to save them in Christ.
The great apostle was serious about his influence. Paul took care to avoid causing anyone to stumble. He didn’t want anything he said or did to become an obstacle in anyone’s spiritual path.
On one hand this meant enduring some hardships. Paul suffered a lot for the cause of Christ—this passage alone lists afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights and hunger. For many of us, just one of those rough spots on the journey might have made us quit, claiming life wasn’t fair and the cost of following Jesus was too great.
On the other hand, Paul modeled the character and conduct that should be found in every believer, but must be present in godly leaders. Purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech and the power of God were on display in Paul’s life. Between resisting the discouraging bad things and living out the encouraging positive ones, Paul deployed both defensive and offensive weapons in his fight against Satan. As soldiers use both shield and sword to survive and win the battle, so Christians need the full armor, too.
Not everyone who looks at your life is going to be kind, supportive and encouraging about your attempt to live for Jesus. The events of life are not always fair. Still, we should persevere as Paul did. We must not allow people and circumstances around us to define who we are or diminish what we have in Christ.
It seems strange that Paul, the Corinthians’ father in the gospel, should have to plead with them to receive him and his words. But haven’t we at some time resisted the wholesome and embraced something harmful? All who would enjoy God’s holy fellowship must turn away from evil. A holy God cannot live among compromised, polluted people. God provides the cleansing and then the strength to separate ourselves from the world. Our Father expects his sons and daughters to live holy lives that reflect his image. There should be a distinct difference between believers and unbelievers— for God’s glory, our holiness and a visible testimony to the world.
The message of God’s grace is universal in its invitation, but the reception is individual. God has shown remarkable patience in dealing with the world and with each of us, but his patience has a defined limit. It’s better to respond to the gospel right away for the sake of your own salvation and well-being, as well as for your influence on others.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—June 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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