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
Exasperated, I occasionally pray, "God, I'm trying to serve you; can't you make things a little easier?" Admittedly, we may sometimes feel "those other people" experience turmoil, suffering or poverty because they do not live the way we think God wants them to live. Conversely, we often hear messages implying that following Christ results in material affluence. Therefore, wouldn't you think Paul, a faithful servant of God, would have a life especially free of hardships?
Not so! God never promised servanthood would be free of turmoil. Service certainly was not without suffering for Christ, God's only son, and it was not easy for Paul. Yet, amidst his "afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger," Paul proclaimed that our loving God graciously listens and helps. Accordingly, we are to do no less than to hear, help, and "open wide [our] hearts" to our neighbors who suffer amid turmoil.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for hearing our cries and helping us "on the day of salvation." Grant us strength to endure servanthood's hardships. Open wide our hearts to hear, serve, and love our neighbors as you have loved us. Amen.