2 Corinthians, Chapter 6
© Copyright 2003 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
Paul urges us to have mutual respect for the calling
of Christ and the life of Christians.
Grace is not license. Christians are not free
to live as heathens.
If you live in that manner, you have a false
Christianity. You are only fooling yourself!
Christians are called to a liberty of
worship, not a freedom to sin.
We are not God’s children because we say we
are. We are His because He says we are.
This verse is a direct reference to Isaiah
49:8---Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in
a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee
for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the
desolate heritages; (KJV)
Our salvation is a growing thing. At the
moment we acknowledge Christ, we are just as saved as we will ever be.
Salvation does not translate into immediate
maturity! Each moment of each day, our Father is adding to our understanding
and Spiritual maturity in Christ.
"Knock (and keep on knocking)," we
must understand that it describes our actions toward the promises/benefits of
God, and His action toward us.
The Holy Spirit is ever knocking on the
heart’s door of each unsaved person, and if they open the door, He will come in
and make that day the "day of salvation."
We are to be humble, and meek, but not social
cowards!
We are not to act in ways contrary to the
gospel.
We are to follow Christ into a consistency of
action and reaction. Christ Jesus was consistent. Paul was consistent.
This consistency was bought about by
grounding in "the word of truth," and in "the power of
God."
Some have an appearance of godliness, but
they deny its power---making godliness a non-factor in their lives.
Paul wore "the armor of
righteousness." It was his and is our only defense against Satan.
Paul and his band of ministers received glory
at the hands of men and also dishonor. Paul was greeted as a brother and man of
God, but those who just pretended to be Christ’s did not accept him.
Least you think that I am building up
Paul—yes I am. As an example among men, he is the best.
As a worshipper of Christ Jesus, Paul may be
a good example, but he cannot save anybody---he is an example of a consistent
attitude.
Are you consistent in your Christian
attitude?
As a Christian, you possess all things
necessary for salvation and godliness. You may not look like it, but you do!
Are you may utilizing the godly benefits
available to you?
As Jesus did, Paul spoke and taught openly.
His words are mysterious only to the spiritually immature. They are hidden from
the unrepentant.
As with Christ, Paul’s heart is open to help
all who were sincere in their desire to know Christ Jesus. Are we open to that
extent?
Christians do not restrain, hinder, cramp, or
compress others. We help liberate others to the point of true worship.
Recompence indicates payment for services
rendered.
Paul considered the Corinthians hid
children-in-the-Spirit, and told them to repay his kindness by opening their
hearts.
Whether is marriage or business, we are not
to be "unequally yoked."
Paul makes it clear when he asks, "What
fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And, what communion has
light with darkness?"
Christians and pagans have nothing in common!
We were what they are.
Do Christ and Belial (Satan, the worthless
one) live in harmony?
Not quite!
So, what have believers in common with
unbelievers? Not much!
Belial (Gr. Beliar-Beliar) means worthless or
wicked one and is a name of Satan.
What agreement does the
None!
We are the temple of the living God. We
should act like it!
God said, "I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." He
did not say that to unbelievers.
Consequently, we should not live in close
association with heathen. Christians are not to Be unevenly yoked with heathen.
Because of what Christ has done, we are
ceremonially clean vessels. We are not to be attached to or commingled with the
unclean.
Some members of churches believe that
Christians should dialogue with Muslims in an attempt to gain peace in this
world. That notion is foreign to
Christianity. Christ did not come to
earth to compromise with sin. He came to
defeat it. Islam is idolatry!
Those who seek a dialogue with Islam are NOT
Christians. They are Pretenders in the
midst of the Church of Jesus Christ!
Our goal is not to convert all Muslims to
Christ. Our goal is to simply tell them about the Good News of Christ’s
sacrificial death. After telling them
about the gospel, our job is finished! Anything past that is not part of our
calling to evangelize the world!
Verse 17b belongs with verse 18.
God the Father has promised us that He will
treat us in the light of His favor and mercy.
We that have accepted His only begotten Son
shall become sons and daughters of the Almighty God.
Do you realize the power and majesty of that
promise?
"Ye shall be" is emphatic!
Almighty God says, "I will be your
father, and you SHALL be my children!