II Corinthians
Chp. 6
Vs. 1 Paul says We are workers together with Him (Christ) . Paul says I ask you to please do not accept/receive the grace of God in vain or for no benefit or use.
(In other words, you have received God’s grace and forgiveness make it count for something. Do not let this wonderful salvation you have be for nothing.)
Vs. 2 Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8 Saying that “At just the right time I (God) heard you and saved you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
Paul says “Look, today is the day of salvation.”
Vs. 3 Paul says Try to be careful so that you do not “offend” others so that they will hear what you have to say and learn of this salvation.
Offend can mean several things—-to hurt another persons feelings, to do something that others do not approve of, etc.
However, if a person is speaking of Jesus to those who do not want to hear about it—–they will say they are “offended”.
You can not be a Christian and speak of Christ without “offending” some people.
So, what Paul is saying try to have good manners, try not to do things that you think will bother and upset other people so that they will be willing to listen to what you say.
Vs. 4 Paul says In everything we do we try to show we are “ministers” of God. Ministers means to take care of something. Ministers take care of God’s word, and God’s people.
Paul says We try to be careful so we will not be blamed for doing wrong so that people will think well of us and our ministry.
Paul says we have gone through many troubles, and hurts, and difficult times, we have learned to be patient and have learned to live on little.
We have been beaten, put in prison, been in ship wrecks, in storms, we have worked hard, we have fasted (gone without food).
We have proved ourselves by being pure, by being understanding, by being patient, and kind we have loved, and we have shown the power of the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness has been our defense and our weapon.
We serve God whether people honor us or hate us.
We serve God whether people talk bad about us or praise us.
We are honest, but people say we are false preachers.
We are well known, but some have treated us as strangers and nobody.
We live close to dying many times, but here we are, still alive.
We have been beaten until we have almost died.
Our hearts are in pain many times about things, but we have God’s joy in us.
We are poor, but in spirit we are rich.
We do not own anything, yet we have all that we need.
Vs. 11 Our dear Christian friends, We have been honest with you. Our hearts are open to you. If there is a problem between us, it is not because we do not love you it is because you have kept your love from us.
I am talking to you now like a parent to a child. Open your hearts to us.
Vs. 12 Do not join yourself with those who are not believers.
(This would mean in marriage especially and perhaps in business or other things.)
How can goodness be a partner to wickedness?
How can Christ get along and be a partner with the Devil?
What union can there be between God’s temple and idols?
As Christians——we are the temple of the living God.
God said in Exodus 29:45
“ I will live in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
So come out from among them, be separated from them, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing, and I will receive you.
I will be a Father unto you and you will my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”