SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 6
BIBLE VERSES:
“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6 :1-2)
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
“What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
PAUL’S HARDSHIPS (vs. 3-13)
Paul enumerated the hardship he had encountered as follows: troubles, distress, beatings, imprisonment, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, hunger, dishonor, bad report, not genuine, unknown, dying, beaten, sorrowful, poor, having nothing. He was urging the Corinthian believers to open their hearts and receive God’s servants in return for the affections they have received from them.
DO NOT BE YOKED WITH UNBELIEVERS (vs. 14-18)
Christians must not compromise with the world nor share the yoke with the world. As temple of the living God, believers are to be separated from the world.
THOUGHTS:
A- Paul advised fellow workers not to receive God’s grace in vain. They have to grow in grace and knowledge of God. As servants of God, they need patience to endure all the battles and hardships. They have to use the Word of God and prayer as weapon to defeat Satan. Believers have to support and encourage God’s servants.
B- Paul admonished Christians not to yoke themselves with unbelievers in marriage because life because they will lost their testimonies for Christ. They should not lock themselves into persuasive business dealings that could cause them to compromise their faith and divide their loyalties. But this does not mean isolation or retreating from the world. It means keeping ourselves from the defilement of the world. Christians are like sheep in the water but when water gets into the ship, it is dangerous!
C- There are two factors a believer can keep himself pure and clean from the world: (1)-love for God (2)-fear of God. May we love God with all our hearts, mind, will and strength. May we fear him in obedience to His Word.
D- Separate from the world involves more than keeping distance from sinners. It means staying close to God so that we can resist the temptations and sins around us without either giving up nor giving in.