The Carpenter's Chapel (4)

Friday, July 2, 2004

2 Corinthians 6

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the
grace of God in vain.” Vs 1

Here we have a passage speaking directly to the ministers of the gospel. The phrase
“with him” does not appear in the original Greek versions of scripture, but has been
inserted in the English translations. Commentators have differing understandings of
this text regarding just whom Paul is co-working with. Some suggest it is the
Corinthian believers whilst others believe is is co-working with God. The latter
consideration is not foreign to Paul’s writing. In 1 Corinthians 3:9 we have “We are
God’s fellow-workers.” In chapter 5, Paul says that the ambassadorial role of the
believer, the minister, was entreating men to Christ through him (Paul).

Think about this. We do not take lightly the task of preaching the gospel and
entering the service of the Lord as ministers. We do not work independent, and God
does not work independently of man. We are co-workers with God. As such we are
charged with an awesome responsibility in our role. We have a responsibility to
prepare and present the best sermon possible given our human talents. There is no
excuse for slothful preaching. God does use His word to convince and convict men,
but how? By the foolishness of preaching. This does not infer that we can slap
anything together and call it a sermon. We are to employ our best learning including
emotion and intellect and the power of persuasion. We have been entreated
(beseech) to receive not the grace of God in vain.

Contrary to some interpretations, this is not referring to some who might receive the
gospel externally, but never experiencing conversion. It is not a proof text that we
are not eternally secure in Him once we believe. This is totally, in context, dealing
with the fact that we are co-workers with God, and the early English translators
inserted “with him” to make this point clear. It is dealing with our presentation of
the gospel, and our own personal lives as co-workers with God.

This can, and should be, applied to all believers. We each have the same
responsibility to live the gospel and truly walk in the light rather than confuse those
in darkness. It is here where we can infer just what we should do about the things of
the world, and just how we should behave in society. Later in this chapter, Paul will
say, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Vs 17

Now we will each understand the specific events differently. Can we attend the
pictures? Can we attend sporting events on the Lord’s Day? Should we get involved
in secular societies that do good work in our society? These are all personal
decisions that each Christian must decide for himself. The underlying principle is
the truth that we are co-workers with God, and we do not behave independent of
God. Paul gives his response to this question in verse 16 when he quotes from
Leviticus, “ I (God) will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.” We are not our own. We have been bought with a
price. Jesus paid the price of sin on the cross, and we are His only representatives in
this world. I think this leaves few questions about how we ought to behave in our
daily lives.

Lord, help us each one to know that we do not live and have our being independent
of You, but rather we are your representative, day in and day out.

Cheers,

Jim

 

It ties in very well with my previous devotional showing us a co-worker with God, doesn't it?

Indeed, we are enroute to total sanctification, but we have a long journey yet. We have just begun, even as the word says, He has begun,,,,,a good work in you (us).

Cheers, with thanks,

Jim

 

As one fellow used to say, "I don't have to like you, but the Bible demands that I love you."

Love IS the key to fellowship, isn't it?

Thanks, Charles,

Cheers,

Jim

 

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

2 Corinthians 7:1

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

There is no question that the Corinthian church was the most corrupt and spiritual church in existence in Paul's time. A dichotomy with which we are all too familiar in to-day's church. We hae the duality of a people who indeed speak the truths of God on Sunday, and speak the things of the world outside the church.

Paul is not condemnatory here. He says "let us..." He includes his own party with this church. "Let us cleanse ourselves..." We have the individual duty to strive toward holiness regardless of what direction the individual church may be following. It is our private witness that is effectual both within the church and in all the world. We are told that "the effectual prayer of a righteous man prevaileth much." The conditions of prayer reaching beyond the ceiling...a righteous man. Paul lays weight to this supposition before the Corinthian peoples.

On my most recent trip to Syracuse, I met a man at a rest stop. I make a habit of greeting strangers when I am travelling. His first utterance was to mention the Lord. I was quite impressed and I let him talk. His talk was consistent. He was not trying to witness to me, but he was. He did not ask me if I knew the Saviour, but his conversation left no doubt what he intended. It was into our conversation before my wife told him that I was a baptist minister. His tone did not change, and neither did he change it one iota. He was consistent throughout and he gave me his email address.

Isn't this what the Christian life is all about? Our walk in the Lord is continuous whether we are with the saints or with the sinners of the world. "perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Paul, throughout his writings to the Corinthians, followed the same theme. Our godly lives are to shine through at all times. I hear some people say they find it hard to witness in the world. My friends, it is not hard. All we need do is live what we believe, and the witness will come to you. All around us we see a wicked world, but I assure you, that if you (we) are consistent in our lives, someone will come to you. The Christian is like a magnet in a basket of nails. He naturally attracts. This leaves doors open to witness when it counts.

One thing I learned in ministry is that the world expected us, the clergy, to be religious. What they did not expect was the average church goer to be as the minister. It is this consistency that speaks volumes outside the church body.

When I left the ministry because I was no longer physically able because of the strokes, I found a new ministry. People in the community did not expect me to behave the same. They actually thought I might curse God for allowing these things to strike me. They watched and they listened. When I decided to continue visitation, especially at the nursing homes, I found the people to be more attentive than before. It was y duty, my job, beforehand, but now it was out of genuine concern for the people. God never closes doors that He does not open others, if we are consistent with our witness. It is here that we find understanding in what Paul is saying in verse 6, "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforteth us by the coming of Titus." The comforts of God are delivered even by the visitation of one man of God. Let us strive to be that one person who also delivers the comfort of God.

Lord, lead us each day in that path whereby we are known by all men to be true to Your word, in spirit and in truth, in everyway.

Cheers,

Jim