Working together with Him {2 Corinthians 6}
10:30 PM
By Mari Sandoval
Today we’ll
begin our study of chapter 6 by considering Paul’s final words to the
Corinthians in chapter 5: 20-21:” So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead
with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ
who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would
become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him
and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious loving-kindness].”
In chapter 6:1-3 Paul continues on to say:
“ Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive
God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful
kindness]. 2- For
He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to
you,
And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable
time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—
We
are workers together with Him! Isn’t it amazing that God would even take
us in consideration to be participants of such task? When Paul mentions
that we are ambassadors for Christ (5:20), he is saying that we are
actually working together with Him. An ambassador works together with his king.
He represents his king. Yet, he has no power or authority on his own.
Now Paul
will also plead with the Corinthian Christians… Not to receive the grace of God in vain: What does it mean to receive the grace
of God in vain? It means to receive the goodness and favor of God, yet to
hinder the work of grace in one's life. Many Christians struggle at this
very point. I remember my husband and I in our early years as Christians,
we felt we were doing enough by attending Church every Sunday. We had received
our God’s saving Grace and we were keeping it to ourselves! Not bothering to move out of our comfort
zone! This is exactly what the Christians from Corinth were doing; they felt
they could continue living their lives as if it was theirs: “ For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and
favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from
judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of
yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious]
gift of God; 9 not as a
result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will
[be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his
salvation]. 10 For we are
His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus
[reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good
works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so
that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made
ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:8)
There is so
much work out there, and God wants us to be an active part of the work for His
kingdom and He has prepared those good works for us! If we neglect our part, God's grace doesn't
accomplish all that it might, and therefore HIS GRACE is given in vain.
M. Henry explains it this way: “The gospel is a word of grace sounding
in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means
of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present
time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we
know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day
of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it”
In our walk
(work) with the Lord we will continually find Satan’s opposition, and Paul
writes about this in verses 3-9. These
verses reminded me of a time I was witnessing to a very close friend (we’ve
known each other since 7th grade… 40+ yrs.), and after I had talked
she asked: “ But why is it that if you have such faith you and your husband
have had so much bad luck during your walk with God?” I can’t deny I felt a
sting on my flesh! I knew where that came from! To those that are not walking
by faith but walking by sight, our trials and troubles are something they don’t
want to experience! So that is why, in some way they don’t’ want to trade what
the world has to offer and even some Christians will freely participate in what
unbelievers do (6:14-16) But what a great promise we find in the last verses,
if we determine ourselves to be faithful to our God:
““I
will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God,
and they shall be My people. 17 “So come out from among
unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do
not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you
[with favor], 18 And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons
and daughters,” Says
the Lord Almighty.”
Remember,
there is so much work for us out there -good works-, but we must trust our
Heavenly Father, rely on Him and on the Power of His Holy Spirit, and then
get to work and work as hard as we can! May this be our prayer today!
Blessings!!
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