[:en]Now is the day of salvation. This is the time to receive God’s forgiveness. (vs. 1-2)
PAUL’S HARDSHIPS (vs. 3-13)
As servant of God, Paul encountered many hardships : troubles, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hardwork, sleepless nights and hunger, bad report and good report,dying, sorrowful and having nothing. But he endured with understanding, patience, kindness, in purity, in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love. He stood faithful to God regardless of public opinion or pressure. He remained joyful and content in the most difficult situation.
Do not let circumstances or people’s expections control you. Stand firm and stay true to God. Never compromise your faith.
Paul spoke to the Corinthian believers with true feelings of love. He urged them to open wide their hearts and accept his exhortation.
DO NOT YOKE WITH UNBELIEVERS (vs. 13-18)
Paul told the believers not to partner with unbelievers because this might affect and weaken their Christian commitment, integrity or standard. He urged them not to compromise their faith by dividing your loyalty due to personal relationship.
As Christians, God’s light is in us so that there can be no fellowship or compromise with darkness. We must stay close to God and resist sin by avoiding worldly pleasures and sinful influences.[:]