SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 6
MEMORY VERSE:
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
PAUL’S MESSAGE TO THE CORINTHIAN BRETHREN: (vs. 1-2)
We urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says. “In the time of my favor I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
WHAT PAUL HAD ENCOUNTERED (vs. 3-13)
- In great endurance
- In troubles
- In hardships
- In distresses
- In beatings
- In imprisonments
- In riots
- In hard work
- In sleepless nights
- In hunger
- In purity
- In understanding
- In patience
- In kindness
- In the Holy Spirit
- In sincere love
- In faithful speech
- In the power of God
- With weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left
- Through glory and dishonor
- Bad report and good repost
- Genuine but regarded as imposters
- Known yet regarded as unknown
- Dying yet we live on
- Beaten yet not killed
- Sorrowful yet always rejoicing
- Poor yet making many rich
- Having nothing and yet possessing everything.
DO NOT BE YOKED WITH UNBELIEVERS (vs. 14-18)
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? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 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” (v. 16) “Therefore, come out from them and be separate, say the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (vs. 17-18)
THOUGHTS:
Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or slandered him. He remained joyous and content in difficult situations. Do not let circumstances control you. Be firm to stand true to God and refuse to compromise with the standards of the world.
Paul explained to the Corinthians that his harsh words came from his love for them. We need to be opened to accept exhortations of God’s messengers.
Paul urged believers not to form partnerships with unbelievers because this might influence their Christian commitment, integrity or standards and compromise their faith. But he did not mean to isolate totally from the unbelievers. Believers should avoid situations that could force them to divide their loyalties.