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
Many good things come from our suffering. There is no one who thinks that going through labor is a wonderful time. Yet most would think that it is a wonderful thing when a new life joins us in this world! Though we often go through hardships, no matter who we are, in grace God longs for life for us and promises to listen to us and bring us the hope of salvation at an acceptable time. At whatever time and place we are, we are called to trust and act in confidence in what we are called to do! It is so easy for us to take credit for the many wonderful things that God has done for us. In like manner, we are quick to blame God when things don’t go the way we think they should! In whatever we do we are called to see the many ways God has done so much for us and to look ahead to see the good things that continually come to us from God.
Prayer
God of grace, help us to see what you have done for us. Guide us to see things the same way that you see things. Amen.
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