2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NRSV)
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Chapter 6As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. Verse 2For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! Verse 3We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, Verse 4but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, Verse 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; Verse 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, Verse 7truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; Verse 8in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; Verse 9as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; Verse 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Verse 11We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. Verse 12There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. Verse 13In return-I speak as to children-open wide your hearts also.
Devotion
The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church with a sense of urgency: “The day of salvation is here; it has arrived!” Jesus, too, preached with a strong sense of urgency: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15).
As followers of Christ and, like Paul, co-workers with him in the Kingdom, we do well to remember the urgency of the Gospel message. God has entered our world in the person of Jesus. God loves us and wants to be in a saving relationship with us and with all people through Christ. This is the best news ever told. Let us join Paul as ambassadors for Christ (Ch. 5) with a real sense of urgency about our task.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we are privileged to be called the body of Christ on earth. We are sent into the fields ripe for harvest in your name. Thank you for your never-failing love as we go about our daily lives as your people. Amen.