Behaving Like Believers

Introduction:

How would you define the word: “HOLINESS”?

It is separation FROM the world

Consecration TO God

Some Christians disagree about what things are appropriate to do or not to do, but we should all be in agreement that our lives should glorify god, influence others positively for Christ, and live in victory over sin.

In the passage before us today, Paul is challenging the Corinthians to live out their salvation in a way that does those three things: a way that glorifies God, influences others positively for Christ, and lives in victory over sin.

Answering the Call of God

Prove the Sincerity of Your Faith (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

2 Corinthians 6:1–2 “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

In the first two verses of this chapter he calls on the Corinthians to live in such a way to demonstrates the sincerity of their faith.

He doesn’t want them to “receive the grace of God in vain.” In doing some research on some other commentaries, it was discovered that the Corinthians were being swayed by false apostles who preached another gospel. He did not want the Corinthians to be influenced by these false teachers and as a result embrace legalism.

Then Paul quotes a verses from Isaiah 49:8 “Thus says the Lord: “In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;”

Many believe Paul referenced this Scripture because it reminded Paul that the day of God blessing the Gentiles was there...God was provided salvation for them, but it was found in Christ and His all-sufficiency!

The Corinthians needed to understand that NOW was time for them to renounce these false teachers and fully embrace Jesus as the only WAY.

Follow Paul’s Example (2 Corinthians 6:3)

While these false teachers had caused offenses (stumblingblock), Paul had not. Paul wanted to live in such a way that no one would trip over him...Notice what he says in...

2 Corinthians 6:3 “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.”

Paul had a clear conscience. He had lived and ministered in such a way that he was not the cause for anyone’s stumbling. He wanted to be “blameless.” He wanted to live in such a way where no one could question his motives or conduct.

Rising to the Challenge of Ministry

The Difficulties Paul Endured (2 Corinthians 6:4-5)

2 Corinthians 6:4–5 “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;”

Paul had not just talked the talk, but he had also “walked the walk.” Paul desired to use his words, deeds, and motives, to point others to Christ and to demonstrate he was the “real deal.” He wanted to further the ministry, not hinder the ministry

As God’s minister, living a life that brought glory to the Lord, he had done so with

patience: steadfast endurance under trials

in tribulation: pressures that weigh us down and crush us, heavy emotional and physical pressure

in needs: hardships and discomforts of life

in distresses: tight places or circumstances where there seem to be no way out

in stripes: beatings, wounds, scourgings, etc.

in imprisonments,

in tumults: riots, civil disorders, mobs, etc

in labors: exhausting work

in sleeplessness: insomnia, caused by the physical demands, travels, exposure, etc.

and in fasting: destitute of food

The Means Paul Employed (2 Corinthians 6:6-7)

When you look at the list of things Paul went through the logical question becomes, “How can anyone remain encouraged is such a torrential downpour of trials?” It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and the 9 virtues that Paul lists that characterized his life. Let’s look at these and discuss them in greater detail

2 Corinthians 6:6–7 “by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”

Purity: Purity of motives and moral purity.

Knowledge: Spiritual insight and understanding. This insight helped him to understand and deal with the struggles he faced.

Longsuffering: Patient endurance of ill treatment and suffering without striking back in revenge. Not hastily retaliating against difficult people.

Kindness: Love or goodness in action. Graciousness and tenderness expressed toward others...even toward difficult people. Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Of course none of these things are possible without the power and influence of the Holy Spirit! He continues his list:

Sincere Love: Self-sacrificing rather than self-seeking love.

1 Corinthians 10:24 “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

Word of Truth: faithful and uncorrupted presentation of the Gospel.

The Power of God: Again this is a reference to the indwelling power and person of the Holy Spirit

Armor of Righteousness: He relied upon the weapon of righteousness. This armor equipped him to ward off satanic attacks from both directions.

The Paradoxes Paul Experienced (2 Corinthians 6:8-10)

2 Corinthians 6:8–10 “by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Paul faced more than most of us can comprehend. Now he lists of the paradoxes he experienced:

Honor and Dishonor/Evil Report and Good Report: Paul faced extremes when it came to how people treated him. While some gave him a “FIVE STAR REVIEW” others did nothing but heap on slander and insults.

Some accused him of being an Imposter (Deceiver): Some of the false teachers that were influencing the church at Corinth had called into question who he was and suggested he was nothing more than a fraud.

Unknown and Yet Well-Known: To some he was an obscure figure who lacked prestige and proper credentials, to others his reputation extended throughout the known world and most importantly was known and validated by the only ONE that mattered: God Himself.

Preservation in the Midst of Suffering: He faced constant threats yet continually survived. He was beaten, scourged, imprisoned, but none of these things ever stopped him.

Sorrowful, Yet Rejoicing: Relentless persecution weighed heavy on him, but he had an internal joy that couldn’t be taken away.

Poor, Yet Making Many Rich: He may have been destitute and was required to make tents to survive, yet he imparted the RICHES of the Gospel to those he came in contact with.

Having Nothing, Yet Possessing Everything: He may have lost his earthly status, but his heavenly riches were beyond compare.

Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God

By Being Open to Paul’s Message (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)

Paul has shared very plainly and explicitly all he has gone through and endured in ministry, and has such a desire to help the Corinthians to understand that he longs to be reconciled to them and return to a right relationship that has been damaged by the words and actions of false teachers. Notice what he says in...

2 Corinthians 6:11–13 “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.”

He has spoken very plain to the Corinthians and has held nothing back. He has been an “open book.” He has bare his heart to them.

But he has noticed that their affections have been “restricted.” The emotion and compassion that they should be demonstrating toward the apostle have been “strangled” by these false teachers and their hearts have been divided toward him. This certainly has broken Paul’s heart.

To heal this Paul challenges them in verse 13 to also be “open.” He’s asking them to reciprocate the same love and openness he has shown toward them. He doesn’t want these false teachers to continue to construct barriers between them.

And so he calls out the Corinthians and encourages them to SEPARATE from these false teachers...

By Living as the Temple of God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Instead of separating from Paul, the Corinthians need to separate from these unbelievers who have been influencing them for wrong.

In verse 14, Paul most likely has in mind the passage from Deuteronomy 22:10 ““You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.”

That would be a disaster

Just like:

Trying to put together light and darkness

Trying to put together Christ and Satan

Trying to put together the Temple of God and the Temple of Idols

It just doesn’t work. The Corinthians have allowed themselves to get “yoked” up with these false teachers and they have infiltrated the church and caused untold harm to the Corinthians.

He calls on them to follow the instruction found in Isaiah 52:11 “Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord.”

They have to completely cut ties with these ungodly influences if they want to continue to plow a straight furrow!