2 Corinthians 6
2 Corinthians 6:1-18
1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says: “IN AN ACCEPTABLE TIME I HAVE HEARD YOU, AND IN THE DAY OF SALVATION I HAVE HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”
17 Therefore “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.”
18 “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”
In order for the grace of God to not be received in vain, there is a need for openness of heart. This openness will be challenged on every side by threats to react in the flesh rather than stand firm in faith. In everything that would touch the soul in a way that could inspire a worldly response, there is a potential persistence in the Spirit that will maintain an open heart of love. This is what Paul claims as His position as a minister to the church, but it is also what He challenges them as children to grow in. The great threat to this growth, though, is shown to be joining together with unbelievers in things that are driven by unclean motives and passions. In order to be joined with the Father as His children with a purpose like His, there must be separation from those who are in direct opposition to Him. Fellowship with the world in any way closes down the heart to faith responses and Godly fruit. The only way for there to be an extensive list of righteous actions in the middle of adversity is if the heart has remained open to the One who empowers those responses. Openness to Him will necessitate closure to His opponents and their ways. This will be in personal relationships, but it will also be those areas where the world would provide entertainment and gratifying substances. If they are not coming from the Spirit, there will be a closing of the heart to the Father as a result of their embrace. He is incredibly passionate about our relationship with Him and its opening effect upon our hearts. This relationship cannot be shared with any other, however. To do so will render grace received to be in vain and for the heart to be closed to Its incredible empowerment in every circumstance.
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