Devotions -
2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1- Our charge to all here tonight
(1) We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
(2) 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.
Devotion asper Websters Dictionary
DEVOTION, n.
1. The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.
2. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, in religious duties, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness.
A Devoted servant of God; (Jim Freed paraphrase)
(3) gives no offense in anything, that his ministry may not be blamed.
(4) But in all things he commends himself as a minister of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
(5) in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; - "far different from the prosperity gospel of the Emerging Church"
(6) by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, - "we look for these qualities in others and neglect to cultivate them in ourselves!"
(7) by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, -"the strength for battle"
(8) by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
(9) as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;-" we are content to be treated by the world any way that they choose because our hope and commission are in God."
(10) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. -"content to die to self,carry our cross and ive as a true disciple of Christ."
Devotion to God is truly a matter of the Heart
(11) O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
(12) You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. "any failure to receive what counsel we offer is because the hardness of your own hearts."
(13) Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
(14) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
(15) And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? "remember before you consider resuming you former way of life that God has brought you out of the world at this time for a specific reason."
(16) 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."
(17) Therefore "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU."
(18) "I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY."
(1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.