8.1 2nd Corinthians Bible Study Chapter 6

2nd Corinthians Bible Study Chapter 6
“We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.” 6:1
We are “workers together with God”–God Himself works through us–and of course even more He works completely independent of us–as the day He spoke the universe into existence by the Word of His power. He certainly does not “need” us! He got along quite well before He created us. And in His providence, He still controls events.

But the remarkable truth is that with all His great power and wisdom and omniscience, He has chosen to use us as His ambassadors, as His servants, in the work of the ministry–in which we are ALL engaged.
This is a MAJOR emphasis in scripture–because if we ever get the idea that “we” are doing something and then hand our “good deeds” to God as a gift–our efforts will be fruitless. We must NEVER forget where the power comes from. “Without Me ye can do nothing,” Jesus told His disciples, but “I can do all things (that He calls me to do) through Christ who strengthens me” Indeed, through Christ who lives within me. “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
“For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.” 1 Cor. 3:9 “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 ESV
Returning to Antioch after their 1st missionary journey, Paul & Barnabas, “when they had come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27 It was God who directed the work, led the missionaries, and brought conviction to the hearts of their hearers.
The same thing when they went to Jerusalem, “they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.” Acts 15:4 Paul wrote, “1 Cor. 3:6-7 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. “ i.e., causes the growth 1 Cor. 3:6-7

It is the greatest of honors to be the servant of the Lord, but it causes no pride because we realize that it is God Himself working through us–and apart from us–but He Himself is producing the fruit, bringing about the results. John 15:4 NIV: “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” So He commands us, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you” or “abide in Me and I will abide in you” KJV–realize your dependence on Him and He will work through you. Depend on the Vine for nourishment, support, strength, and vitality.
Some are self-confident. They depend on their God-given gifts or possessions or position or relationships or their own desires. Some act like it is the earthly church or denomination that is the vine–but it is not. Only Christ Himself is the Vine. So the first point is that God is at work in us and we are privileged to be called “God’s fellow-workers”–He’s doing His part and enabling us to do what we call “our part.”

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 6:1. He urged them “not to receive the grace of God in vain”= not to turn away from the gracious opportunity to hear the gospel of forgiveness. He’s also talking to new believers to grow in grace. :Don’t waste your life–but invest it in things eternal: the Word of God, the Gospel, the lives of people, the values that will continue into eternity–and not end up on the ash heap
You CAN “take it with you” for your works shall follow you–and the spiritual fruit that God has worked through you will be there. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Rev. 14:13

So Paul continues in 2 Cor. 6:2 For he says, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is “the acceptable time”; behold, now is “the day of salvation.” He’s pleading for them to listen to the Gospel and the Word of God instead of being lured away by the pleasures of sin or the glitter of the world or by false teaching. he tells us how we are to minister:
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. “Offense” means “cause of stumbling”. There is no substitute for integrity and purity of life. “Stumbling block” =occasion of sin; lit. strike at–as flood waters surging–to trip, don’t make it more difficult for others to live an upright life–don’t try to get them to do something against their conscience–even if it’s permissible within the limitations of Christian liberty. Rom. 14 & 1 Cor. 8

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: (or servants of God) (bondservant of Jesus Christ, a voluntary slave). Remember he’s not just talking about what is often called “the minister of the church” or the pastor or the preacher because we are ALL ministers of the Gospel. You do serve the Lord, don’t you? You are the servant of Jesus Christ, are you not? Then you are a “minister of God” and he’s talking to you.

What is this whole list that follows about?? Is it not his life that he’s calling attention to? The way he lives. That’s because all of us really minister life-to-life–from my life to yours and from your lives to ours. He is “commending” himself as a servant of God. These come right out of Paul’s life. Servants of Jesus do not seek greater comfort and prosperity, but greater endurance. (to be continued. . . .)
–Pastor Burnside