A Study in II Corinthians Week 6

II Corinthians 6:1-18

Paul has been writing about the ministry of reconciliation. He has encouraged us to be reconciled to God, to be reconcilers of the lost and to be reconciled with each other.

When we have an issue with a brother/sister in Christ, we need to be reconciled. If we are not, we risk falling right back into the disunity Paul saw in Corinth as revealed in I Corinthians.

The Verses

1-2 This is a continuation of the reconciliation message in 11-21 of chapter 5. We have received God’s grace…now we are to make it count for something.

3-10 Some see this as Paul “bragging” about his holier-than-thou character. It is not. It is an illustration of the changes that take place in the life of a believer as a result of his becoming a “new creation” in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).

As a new creation, how much like this “list” is your life? Do you exhibit endurance? Do you endure hardships as one who has experienced the grace of God?

Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and also to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ.

11-13 As Paul opened his heart to the Corinthian Christians, so we ought to open our hearts to each other and to “outsiders.”

14-18 This passage has been used for everything from choosing a marriage partner to being in business with a non-Christian.

Understanding it properly, it is really an attitude about our surrender to the claim Christ has on our lives.

If we still have things in common with those who do not believe in Christ, we need to examine our belief in Christ.

If we are in Christ, we will be different from the inside out. We will not enjoy the things of the world the way we used to, for we will see them differently.

Remember, we are the temple of the living God. He does not live in the church building, but in the church…that is: in the person of believers. David says, “Isn’t it good to be in God’s house this morning?” and we all respond, “Amen!” Now, we know what he means and we respond to that. But too often we give the impression that God lives in the building, rather than in our hearts.

As we grow in Christ, we will want to become more like Him every day in every way.

We don’t need to become separatists, but we DO need to become separate…not guided by the world, but being a guide in and to the world.

You and I need to demonstrate with our lives the new life we have found in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Master.