2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (ESV)
- Steadfast in Suffering (vv 4-5)
We need great endurance – our response to problems, opposition and depravation needs to be different to that of the world. - Christ-like in Conduct (vv 6-7)
We need to be pure, prudent, patient, kind, genuinely love (including our enemies), speaking truth – depending on the power of God with integrity, supernatural character – like the Lord Jesus Christ. - Consistent in Conflict (vv 8-10)
This world is a hostile world to the Christian. We need to be consistent in the spiritual battle that rages (Eph. 6:4-20).