2 Corinthians 6: 1-13
As God’s fellow 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 tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hungry; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and 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 report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange–I speak as to my children–open wide your hearts also.
A Thought
Paul writes freely to the Corinthians about their struggles and hardships to bring the gospel to them. Paul is asking them to open their hearts to receive their salvation while God is listening to them with his favor. Paul explains that they must separate themselves from unbelievers because righteousness and wickedness have nothing in common. God desires for us to be his temple where he will live and walk with us, but we must separate ourselves from all uncleanliness as we open our hearts to him.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for hearing our plea for your salvation. Continue to open our hearts with your sincere love and kindness as we separate ourselves from those who walk in darkness refusing to believe the truth of your salvation. We desire to be in harmony and fellowship with you as your sons and daughters cleansed by the blood of your Son, Jesus the Christ. We ask that your Spirit lead us to minister the good news to others in sincere love while we live our lives separate to you, in Jesus’ name, amen.
