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The Workers in the Family
2 Corinthians 6 NKJV
Paul begins this chapter, which has always been one of my favorites, with the idea that we believers are workers with Christ. As such, we should receive the grace of God and allow God to let His love flow through us to others, sharing Jesus with this world.
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6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
The Day Of Salvation
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
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God, through Christ, has indeed granted us salvation. Now it is our time to be used by God to be lights for Him in this dark world.
Paul continues by telling us that we are ministers of God. What a glorious blessing to be in God’s work.
Yet, we know that believers were and are tortured and persecuted for their faith. If we think that things are difficult for Christians in this century, look back to the days of the first century.
May Our Ministry Not Be Blamed
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
You are, therefore, believer, not the first person to be given a hard time for your faith. Thus far, it has not cost you your life. That was not the case for Christ, nor most of the apostles, and many believers who followed. Yet, they continued, as we should today.
Let us read Paul’s words about the help of the Holy Spirit and the power of God that gives us His love, truth, and help to continue on.
Paul tells us:
6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
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Therefore, in all things, He is with us, helping us.
Let us read slowly the following passage:
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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There is always reason to rejoice in Christ, even in the days of sorrow.
We might be poor by the world’s standards, yet in Christ we can share our faith and make many rich in Him.
We might appear to have nothing, yet we have God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, and Eternal Life; thus, we possess all things of true value and true worth.
Paul then warns the Christian Corinthians not to marry unbelievers.
While we are certainly to witness to all, in all opportunities, we are not to marry unbelievers.
Thus, we are not to date those who are not believers, so that we do not end up marrying unbelievers.
We see that those who do not believe in Christ as the Risen Son of God conduct themselves differently from true believers in Christ.
If we truly believe and obey Jesus, we should be embracing ALL that He told us to do. He came to fulfill the law, thus He upheld the 10 Commandments of God and God’s values and law.
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Thus, Paul continues:
We have nothing in common, or should not have, with someone who is NOT keeping God’s commandments. Our society is ripe right now with many who will profess Jesus but will not live by His commands.
Paul says,
11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
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What a wonderful blessing to be counted in as one of the people of God. To be HIS PEOPLE is a miraculous gift. God, the Creator of the Universe, has adopted us into HIS FAMILY.
We have nothing in common, or should not have, with someone who is NOT keeping God’s commandments. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” True belief and true love go hand in hand.
Put your life into your profession. Live your beliefs.
God is calling us. He is offering “familyhood.”
God will be your Father.
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17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
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Read that again. “I will be a Father to you…”
I first read that as a child who felt she was never quite welcomed into the family.
As a child, I was shuffled between relatives, forever seeking to be a part of it all.
I don’t believe that I am the only person on this planet who felt or feels this way.
My story, however, held a glorious event.
I heard about Jesus and His death for my sins. I believed, confessed my sins, and God opened His arms and made me HIS!!!
HE IS NOW MY FATHER!!!!!
I belong, at last.
You can too.
Come, be a part of the FAMILY!!!
Your Father wants you to come Home.
Join Him.
You are loved more than you ever could have imagined.
You have a place that ONLY YOU can fill.
Your Father let HIS SON JESUS die so you could be forgiven and come HOME forever.
It is a glorious Home that awaits you.
You are wanted.
Your Father is opening His Arms, as you run into them.