Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, - Ephesians 4:1
In the book of 2 Corinthians Paul spends a considerable amount of time describing and defending his character and ministry. He names and discusses several of the challenges that he and his friends have faced during their travels. He talks candidly about the purpose of their labor and the motivation that compels them to godly service. He acknowledges and gives thanks for the strength of God which empowers them to serve even in their own weakness.
In today’s sermon, we will continue focusing on the work of ministry. We will read more personal testimony about Paul’s efforts to serve God in a worthy manner. In addition, we will encounter some guidance for the Corinthians as to how they might serve God better. Of course, this counsel can be applied to our Christian service as well.
I. BE PLEASING TO GOD (2 Cor. 6:1-10)
Paul opened this portion of his letter by saying that he and his ministry team were working together with God. Think about that for a moment. God allows His children, those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, to serve as His hands and feet. We are the LORD’s servants, called to and equipped for the Kingdom work that He has entrusted to us. We get the privilege and honor of working alongside Him! This shouldn’t be taken for granted.
To that end, Paul urged the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain. He didn’t want them to ignore or dismiss the saving message of God’s grace. He didn’t want them to continue walking in their old ways, but rather to experience the transformational power of God’s grace. Paul cited the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 49:8) and urged the Corinthians to live in the light of God’s glorious grace right now - today!
Understanding themselves to be servants of God, Paul and his fellow missionaries sought to avoid causing offense in anything so as not to discredit or undermine their ministry and thereby disparage the LORD’s name. They had committed to serve Him despite enduring afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, and hunger. They would speak and act in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, and in the power of God.
The members of Paul’s team were determined to live righteously, regardless of whether it brought them glory or dishonor - a good report or a bad report. He knew that their enemies would regard them as deceivers, but they told the truth; as unknown, but they were well-known; as dying, but in Christ they lived; as punished, but they had not been executed; as sorrowful, but they rejoiced; as poor, but they made many rich; and as having nothing, yet they had everything. Simply put, they would not be discouraged or deterred by the false claims of their critics, but would instead remain fully focused on and dedicated to pleasing God.
II. BE OPEN TO BELIEVERS (2 Cor. 6:11-13)
Paul told the Corinthians that he and his colleagues had been open and honest with them all along. He had shared the feelings of his heart, expressing his deep sorrow and frustration when they went astray. Even though it was somewhat uncomfortable, he rebuked them for their waywardness and called them to repentance. Through all of this he had been transparent and truthful, and his love for them never faded (Proverbs 27:6).
Though his fondness for the Corinthians had never wavered, their affections for him certainly did. During their season of apostasy, having been misled by false teachers, they had blatantly ignored his instructions and regarded him as unreliable. They wanted nothing to do with Paul or his associates. Now that they had returned to Christ, Paul urged them to open themselves wide for renewed fellowship and love.
Beloved, we as Christians need to be honest and transparent with one another. We are a family. As such, we need to tell each other the truth even when it is difficult to do so. We should share our true feelings and burdens so that we can encourage and pray for one another. We should love unconditionally, forgive those who stumble, and always seek restoration and reconciliation.
III. BE SEPARATE FROM UNBELIEVERS (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
On the other hand, Paul warned the Corinthians to separate themselves from unbelievers. To make his point clear, he asked a series of questions. What partnership does righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony does Christ have with Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement does the temple of God have with idols?
Following up on his last question, Paul explained that born-again believers are the temple of God. He weaved together a collection of Old Testament verses including Leviticus 26:12, Exodus 29:45, Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:41, and Isaiah 43:6. Using these texts, he taught that we as Christians should set ourselves apart from the world just as the Israelites were supposed to do among the heathen nations.
While Christians are certainly called to live among unbelievers and to engage this lost culture with the gospel, we are simultaneously commanded not to be bound to them. This includes things like formal partnerships, contractual agreements, and even covenant relationships. Beloved, no one is perfect, and every human bond is flawed to some degree, but we should avoid alliances with those who practice iniquity. Such associations are dangerous and will invariably lead believers to impurity and compromise.
CONCLUSION
So, how can we as God’s children walk in His grace? It must begin by recognizing grace’s incredible value. God has bestowed His unfailing love and favor upon us, though we are so undeserving of it. His grace is all that gets us through the day! He invites us to participate in His work. Therefore, in appreciation and gratitude, we should willingly and joyfully serve Him. In every circumstance, whether good or bad, we should seek to follow the LORD in obedience and live lives that are pleasing to Him.
As we do so, we should walk in close and open fellowship with fellow believers. We are, collectively, the children of God - brothers and sisters, members of the body of Christ. We are His church, the Son’s chosen bride, and the temple of God. We are colabors in the same harvest, comrades in the same army, athletes in the same race, and sheep of the same pasture. May we learn to love and support one another in truth rather than constantly tearing each other down.
Finally, we should remove ourselves and be distinct from unbelievers. God has called us to a higher standard, one of holiness and purity. Though we know it is a bar we’ll never clear in this life, we should strive for it nonetheless. We cannot fully enjoy the light of His grace while shaded by umbrellas of sinful relationships and associations.
In the book of 2 Corinthians Paul spends a considerable amount of time describing and defending his character and ministry. He names and discusses several of the challenges that he and his friends have faced during their travels. He talks candidly about the purpose of their labor and the motivation that compels them to godly service. He acknowledges and gives thanks for the strength of God which empowers them to serve even in their own weakness.
In today’s sermon, we will continue focusing on the work of ministry. We will read more personal testimony about Paul’s efforts to serve God in a worthy manner. In addition, we will encounter some guidance for the Corinthians as to how they might serve God better. Of course, this counsel can be applied to our Christian service as well.
I. BE PLEASING TO GOD (2 Cor. 6:1-10)
Paul opened this portion of his letter by saying that he and his ministry team were working together with God. Think about that for a moment. God allows His children, those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, to serve as His hands and feet. We are the LORD’s servants, called to and equipped for the Kingdom work that He has entrusted to us. We get the privilege and honor of working alongside Him! This shouldn’t be taken for granted.
To that end, Paul urged the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain. He didn’t want them to ignore or dismiss the saving message of God’s grace. He didn’t want them to continue walking in their old ways, but rather to experience the transformational power of God’s grace. Paul cited the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 49:8) and urged the Corinthians to live in the light of God’s glorious grace right now - today!
Understanding themselves to be servants of God, Paul and his fellow missionaries sought to avoid causing offense in anything so as not to discredit or undermine their ministry and thereby disparage the LORD’s name. They had committed to serve Him despite enduring afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, and hunger. They would speak and act in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, and in the power of God.
The members of Paul’s team were determined to live righteously, regardless of whether it brought them glory or dishonor - a good report or a bad report. He knew that their enemies would regard them as deceivers, but they told the truth; as unknown, but they were well-known; as dying, but in Christ they lived; as punished, but they had not been executed; as sorrowful, but they rejoiced; as poor, but they made many rich; and as having nothing, yet they had everything. Simply put, they would not be discouraged or deterred by the false claims of their critics, but would instead remain fully focused on and dedicated to pleasing God.
II. BE OPEN TO BELIEVERS (2 Cor. 6:11-13)
Paul told the Corinthians that he and his colleagues had been open and honest with them all along. He had shared the feelings of his heart, expressing his deep sorrow and frustration when they went astray. Even though it was somewhat uncomfortable, he rebuked them for their waywardness and called them to repentance. Through all of this he had been transparent and truthful, and his love for them never faded (Proverbs 27:6).
Though his fondness for the Corinthians had never wavered, their affections for him certainly did. During their season of apostasy, having been misled by false teachers, they had blatantly ignored his instructions and regarded him as unreliable. They wanted nothing to do with Paul or his associates. Now that they had returned to Christ, Paul urged them to open themselves wide for renewed fellowship and love.
Beloved, we as Christians need to be honest and transparent with one another. We are a family. As such, we need to tell each other the truth even when it is difficult to do so. We should share our true feelings and burdens so that we can encourage and pray for one another. We should love unconditionally, forgive those who stumble, and always seek restoration and reconciliation.
III. BE SEPARATE FROM UNBELIEVERS (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
On the other hand, Paul warned the Corinthians to separate themselves from unbelievers. To make his point clear, he asked a series of questions. What partnership does righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony does Christ have with Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement does the temple of God have with idols?
Following up on his last question, Paul explained that born-again believers are the temple of God. He weaved together a collection of Old Testament verses including Leviticus 26:12, Exodus 29:45, Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:41, and Isaiah 43:6. Using these texts, he taught that we as Christians should set ourselves apart from the world just as the Israelites were supposed to do among the heathen nations.
While Christians are certainly called to live among unbelievers and to engage this lost culture with the gospel, we are simultaneously commanded not to be bound to them. This includes things like formal partnerships, contractual agreements, and even covenant relationships. Beloved, no one is perfect, and every human bond is flawed to some degree, but we should avoid alliances with those who practice iniquity. Such associations are dangerous and will invariably lead believers to impurity and compromise.
CONCLUSION
So, how can we as God’s children walk in His grace? It must begin by recognizing grace’s incredible value. God has bestowed His unfailing love and favor upon us, though we are so undeserving of it. His grace is all that gets us through the day! He invites us to participate in His work. Therefore, in appreciation and gratitude, we should willingly and joyfully serve Him. In every circumstance, whether good or bad, we should seek to follow the LORD in obedience and live lives that are pleasing to Him.
As we do so, we should walk in close and open fellowship with fellow believers. We are, collectively, the children of God - brothers and sisters, members of the body of Christ. We are His church, the Son’s chosen bride, and the temple of God. We are colabors in the same harvest, comrades in the same army, athletes in the same race, and sheep of the same pasture. May we learn to love and support one another in truth rather than constantly tearing each other down.
Finally, we should remove ourselves and be distinct from unbelievers. God has called us to a higher standard, one of holiness and purity. Though we know it is a bar we’ll never clear in this life, we should strive for it nonetheless. We cannot fully enjoy the light of His grace while shaded by umbrellas of sinful relationships and associations.