2 Corinthians 6:1-18
Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]- 2 Corinthians 6:1 [ Amp]
In today’s reading, we are introduced to the Messenger and the Message of Christ he has to proclaim. This messenger has to face many challenges when presenting God’s message to a dying world that if it were not for the grace of God, he would have retreated. We read about Paul’s various hardships he faced (Vs. 4, 5 & 8), yet we see him keep his moral character reflecting Christ in all these suffering (Vs.6&7). He was willing to face it all because of his love for the One who called Him and the one desire that all men everywhere would meet the Saviour he had met.
Even in the face of suffering Paul did not dilute the Christian Message, willing to pay the price for the truth that had to be heard.
This message rings loud and clear even today. Paul wraps up the gospel message in 2 points – to those who are yet to know Jesus and to those who have begun a relationship with Christ.
To those who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to hear about Jesus, his only call to them was to Be saved – (V.2) Now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped (The MSG). This is the call going out into the world even now, to the multitude who is yet to receive the help God has given us in His Son Jesus. In Acts 4:12, Paul says that Salvation comes in no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one – Jesus- He will save us from our sins (Ref. Matt 1:22). Even as people across the world try to find salvation through their own effort and other sources – we hear voices of unnamed men and women of God crying out saying “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…”(Acts 3:19). Have you heeded this message and received the help the Saviour has to offer you? If not, now is the time – be saved! His return is very much at hand.
To those who have made a decision to follow Christ the only message is to Be Holy – Jesus before he left the world prayed for his disciples (including us), asking God to keep them from becoming of the world. He also prayed that the truth would sanctify them and keep them holy in an unholy world. ( John 17: 16&17) Paul reiterates this in V.14 “Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make partnership out of right and wrong? Are light and dark best friends? Does Christ go strolling with the devil?” (The MSG)
For everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ this is a command we need to adhere to. Salvation is immediate; but sanctification is a lifelong process till the day we see Jesus face to face. Until then we need to learn to separate ourselves from every thought/word or deed of the luring world. This is not for us to disassociate from the world, but we, who have been raised to new life are crucified to the world and delivered from the lust of the flesh, eye and the pride of life, and are being sent into the world as a Holy Sanctuary displaying God’s glory with a new purpose to free others.
Even as God’s missionaries (including us), carry this powerful message into the world may we uphold them in prayer that the light of this gospel would penetrate into this dark world and turn many hearts back to the Living God.
Quote for the day: "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God" — William Carey
Listen: ‘Tell me the old old story!’
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