Maintaining Consistency

Maintaining Consistency

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

This morning we continue our exposition of the book of 2 Corinthians and our summer sermon series called “Represent.” Therefore, take your copy of God’s word and turn to 2 Corinthians chapter six. This morning we will study verses fourteen through verse one of chapter seven.

When I look at my life in Christ, I must admit that I am where I am today because of commendable representation of Christ. My knowledge of the gospel started visually before I really grasped it verbally. I was able to see the gospel demonstrated before me in the life of a consistent Christian. What I saw in this Christian’s life made me want the gospel for my own life. That is what I call the influence of commendable representation for Christ.

Last Sunday we looked at commendable representation in verses three through thirteen of chapter six. Paul understood the powerful influence of example when he penned the words of verse three, “We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found in our ministry.” How we live, as Christians will influences people.

I believe the passage from last week gave us the where and what of commendable representation, and the passage for today gives us the how of commendable representation. How do we maintain a consistent walk with the Lord? First, we must avoid destructive relationships with unbelievers and the world.

1. Avoid destructive relationships with unbelievers and the world.

Verse fourteen, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” The background for this verse is found in Deuteronomy 22:10, “You shall not plow with an ox and donkey together.” Mismatched animals would not work together in plowing a field. This is a picture of how mismatched relationships will not work together for the same spiritual goal. Certain relationships with unbelievers will become destructive for the believer because you have two people with different spiritual directions in life. This command is often times misapplied. It doesn’t mean separating yourself physically from the world.

a. Doesn’t mean separating yourself physically from the world.

In the real Lord’s Prayer in John chapter seventeen, Jesus prayed, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but you keep them from the evil one.” Jesus does not expect us to move to a monastery isolating ourselves from the world. It doesn’t mean to refuse to establish friendships with unbelievers.

b. Doesn’t mean to refuse to establish friendships with unbelievers.

Jesus ate with the sinners and the tax collectors while the Pharisees boycotted. In the same manner, we must build friendships with those who need Jesus so that we can share Jesus with them. It is easy to be the Pharisee and boycott sinners, but it takes supernatural power to build friendships with those with differing views. So what does this command mean? Means that we avoid destructive relationships that hinder a consistent walk with the Lord.

c. Does mean you avoid destructive relationships that hinder your walk with the Lord.

This command first applies to the church as a whole. This command is given to the corporate church in the context of false teachers and teaching. Therefore, the church must avoid destructive relationships with false teachings and religions. When the church partners with other religions in spiritual matters, we distort the truth of the gospel with our association. For instance, churches should not partner with Mormons when calling the people back to God. The god of Mormonism is not the God of the Bible. Allah is not the god of the Bible; therefore, the church has no business partnering with Islam.

Paul supports his command with a set of rhetorical questions, “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?” These questions are rhetorical and are emphatically answered, “Not al all!”

This passage also applies to the individual Christian. A follower of Christ should never enter into a marriage relationship with an unbeliever. You don’t put an ox and a donkey together because they will work against one another. You don’t marry an unbeliever because you will be going in different directions spiritually. If you are seriously following Christ then you want to marry someone who is consistently and seriously following Christ.

Some of you singles are wondering about what the Bible says about dating. The Bible doesn’t say anything about dating because they didn’t date back then; they arranged marriages. Nevertheless, I think it is wise to date only people you would marry. And don’t try missionary dating. 99% of the time you will not lead the person your dating to Christ.

Now, if you are a believer and are married to an unbeliever this passage does not mean that you can divorce them for this reason. This is not a reason to leave your unbelieving spouse.

What is true in marriage is also true in business. Being in a business partnership with an unbeliever will partner you with someone who does not share your same values, and could possible lead you astray.

These destructive relationships are not just with people, but also with things. Whatever controls your life is your God. Activities can be a destructive relationship if they hinder your consistent walk with the Lord. Consistency is maintained as we avoid destructive relationships with unbelievers and the world. To avoid these destructive relationships we need to know the nature of our relationship with the Lord.

2. Know the nature of your relationship with the Lord.

In the last part of verse sixteen we have a profound theological truth concerning the people of God, “For we are the temple of the living God.” The Greek word that we translate temple is “naos.” When it is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, it is always used to refer to the inner sanctuary of the temple. When it is used in the New Testament, it is always used to refer to the church. The church is the temple of the living God. The people of God are the sanctuary, not the building we worship in today. What does this mean?

Paul will go on to support this theological truth by quoting from several Old Testament passages. By using these passages, Paul reveals that what was true of the Old Testament temple is now true of the New Testament temple.

The Old Testament temple was a place where God said he would dwell with his people, fellowship with his people, and walk with his people. The Old Testament temple was a type of the New Testament temple.

The New Testament temple is not a place, but a people that God dwells in. The living God lives in his people, the church. Therefore, because we are the temple of the living God we must avoid destructive relationships what would allow idolatry in the temple. Furthermore, we enjoy the blessings of a dynamic relationship with the Lord because we are God’s people.

3. Enjoy the blessings of a dynamic relationship with the Lord.

Paul quotes from Leviticus 26, Ezekiel 37, Isaiah 52, and possibly 2 Samuel 7. In these Old Testament passages we have a pattern: promise, prohibition, promise. In these promises we see the blessings of a dynamic relationship with the Lord. First, we have the blessing of God’s indwelling presence.

a. Indwelling presence

Verse sixteen, “I will make my dwelling among them.” God’s presence is always with the believer. There is also the blessing of intimate fellowship.

b. Intimate fellowship

“I will walk among them,” and verse seventeen, “I will welcome them.” The third blessing in this passage is infinite care.

c. Infinite care.

Verse eighteen, “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me.” In Christ we are a part of the family of God.

These are the blessings of a dynamic relationship with the Lord. These promises are realities, but the fullness of these realities is only experienced as we consistently walk with the Lord, which means we must persistently obey the commands of God.

4. Persistently obey the commands of God.

In verse one of chapter seven, Paul applies what he just wrote in verses fourteen through eighteen. “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

The promises of God’s indwelling presence, intimate fellowship, and infinite are the basis for cleansing ourselves from the defilements that impact our lives. The Greek word that we translate “cleanse” is “kathoridzo.” When it was used in the realm of agriculture it meant to “prune away,” or to “clear the ground of weeds.” Christians must daily prune the idols from our hearts so that we can keep Jesus first in our lives. This is done by persistently obeying the commands of God.

We maintain consistency in our walk with the Lord as we persistently obey the commands of God. When we maintain consistency, notice what happens, “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of the Lord.” Paul is not speaking of perfection in holiness, but growth. The older we get in the Lord, and the longer we walk with the Lord, we should grow in holiness. Growth in holiness is a result of consistently walking with the Lord.

The reason we persistently obey the commands of God is because we fear God. To fear God means that we want to please God. We should want to please God because he has given us his indwelling presence, intimate fellowship, and infinite care.

Are you maintaining consistency win your walk with the Lord? Are there some dead branches of destructive relationship that need to be pruned? Do you have the weeds of worldliness chocking your consistent walk with the Lord to death? Let today be the day that you prune away, and clear out some weeds in your life so that you can be consistent in your walk with the lord.

This passage is for Christians; therefore, I have been speaking to Christians. However, I realize that there is some here today who are not a part of the family of God. If you desire, you can enjoy God’s indwelling presence, intimate fellowship, and infinite care. Just recognize your need for a savior, “For all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Realize that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and on the third day rose to life. And then respond by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved.

Maintaining Consistency

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

1. Avoid destructive relationships with unbelievers and the world.

a. Doesn’t mean separating yourself physically from the world.

b. Doesn’t mean to refuse friendships with unbelievers.

c. Means you avoid destructive relationships that hinder your walk with the Lord.

2. Know the nature of your relationship with the Lord.

3. Enjoy the blessings of a dynamic relationship with the Lord.

a. Indwelling presence

b. Intimate fellowship

c. Infinite care.

4. Persistently obey the commands of God.