Suffering, Holiness, and the Grace of God.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

 

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to ^[a]be abased, and I know how to ^[b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through ^[c]Christ who strengthens me.

(NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul had familiarity with the grace of God, suffering, and holiness and learned contentment in all situations (Philippians 4:11-13). In 2 Corinthians 6:1-18, Paul teaches the Corinthians not to take the grace of God in vain, letting them know there will be suffering, and to be holy when suffering. This text, written almost two thousand years ago, has application in the Church today which faces persecution and suffering on many fronts.

 

Paul begins this text by pleading with the Corinthians not to take the grace of God in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). The next verse provides some clarification as to what Paul means by taking the grace of God in vain by quoting Isaiah 49:8. The Lord has an acceptable time to hear us, helping us in the day of salvation telling us that now is the acceptable time and now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). It is vanity to hear of the grace of God and his gift of Salvation and say no.

 

The ministry of Paul does not offend anything, or anyone, so as not to bring blame upon the ministry (2 Corinthians 6:3). Paul commends himself as a minister of God through patience, tribulations, needs, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, and fastings (2 Corinthians 6:4-5). The ministry of Paul is with purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, through the Holy Spirit with sincere love (2 Corinthians 6:6). Paul ministers with the word of truth, the word of God with the armor of righteousness on his right hand and left (2 Corinthians 6:7). The circumstances under which Paul ministers are times of honor and dishonor, under both evil and good reports, seen as a deceiver while remaining true to the word of God (2 Corinthians 6:8). Paul and those with him are unknown yet well known, seen as dying yet very much alive, chastened but not killed, sorrowful yet rejoicing, poor while making many rich, and seen as having nothing yet having all things (2 Corinthians 6:9-10).

 

Paul’s heart is open to the Corinthians with any restriction to their spiritual growth the result of their affections and not from what Paul teaches, urging the Corinthians to have open hearts  (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Paul calls for holiness among the Corinthians by not joining with unbelievers for they are the temple of God in which God dwells (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Paul challenges the Corinthians to come out from the world so God can be a Father to them with the Corinthians living as sons and daughters of God (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

 

Paul begins by speaking of the grace of God not taken in vain through any delay in acceptance of God’s gift of grace. Paul considers it vanity to hear of God’s gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and not immediately accept it. However, this acceptance of God’s grace will come with suffering, as it did with him and those ministering with him. While this suffering was painful, Jesus told his followers there would be suffering in this world with the reminder that He overcame the world through His resurrection (John 16:33). Paul then urges the Corinthians to endure suffering in holiness as children of God (2 Corinthians 6:17). Paul and those ministering with him considered it an honor to suffer in ministry with Christ in light of the extent to which Christ suffered for us, extending to us His grace (Philippians 3:8). Paul considered holiness as not a burden but his reaction in love to what Christ did for him.

 

As believers living almost two thousand years after the Corinthians, we still must receive the gift of God’s grace quickly, knowing there will be suffering and that we must remain holy in suffering. As a means of a self-checkup in our relationship with God, believers must ask themselves,

 

1. Am I genuine in my belief in Christ – Believing in Christ through knowledge that He existed is not sufficient belief to bring salvation for even demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). Romans 10:9-10 speaks of belief in the heart, not just belief based on knowledge. Genuine belief in Christ is a belief based on experiencing a personal relationship with Christ. This is a belief based on grace that is not in vain for it seeks a relationship with Christ.
2. Am I growing in my relationship with Christ – Romans 12:2 urges genuine believers not to conform to the world but to experience transformation through the renewing of their minds. A genuine believer seeking a relationship with God will seek to grow that relationship by spending time in the word of God and in prayer to grow their relationship with Christ.
3. Do I give of my time and money in service to Christ – When we genuinely love someone, we want to give to them our time and resources in an expression of that love.
4. Do I live for Christ in all circumstances – A genuine believer in Christ serves Christ in all circumstances and places. We are to emulate Paul who served Christ in good and bad times, even in jail (2 Corinthians 6:3-5). We should not just serve Christ in Church but at work, school, home, the marketplace, and everywhere we go, allowing the Word of God to guide us (Psalm 119:105).
5. Do I live to glorify Christ – Woe to the minister that ministers to bring attention to themselves for believers are to do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

If you are reading this post and have not prayed for forgiveness of sins and to have a personal relationship with Christ, I urge you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading his post, and may every reader genuinely accept God’s gift of grace and endure suffering in holiness.