Bible Reading for July 1 – II Corinthians 6:1-7:1

So, if we are to be ambassadors for Christ, urging those around us to be reconciled to God (5:20), how can we do our job more effectively? Of course we can study the Scriptures, learning more about the message we need to deliver – that Christ died for all who trust in Him (5:14-15), taking on our sin so that we might have His righteousness (5:21).

But just knowing the correct doctrine and just telling people about their need to repent and be saved (6:2) is not enough. For the fact is that the internet is filled with winsome, accurate presentations of the gospel message – they’re even being broadcast in Arabic into Islamic countries where it’s illegal to have a Bible! So, why doesn’t everyone who hears it go on to believe the good news of Jesus?

One reason could be that many of us who say we believe the gospel don’t seem to think it’s very important. After all, Paul was willing to suffer all kinds of “afflictions and hardships” (6:4-10) in order to tell people the good news of Jesus. But will we even run the risk of being thought strange or fanatical for sharing our faith with our friends? Will we give up some of our money so that others may plant churches among the lost? And if we’re not willing to make these admittedly small sacrifices, why should anyone listen to what we have to say about Jesus?

Of course, there’s another problem all too many Christians have – preaching the need for repentance and holiness while refusing to put our words into practice. But as Paul makes clear, light and darkness have nothing to do with each other (v. 14). Instead, because the Holy Spirit is living within all believers, bringing any idols into our lives is defiling the very Temple of God (v. 16).

So whenever we compromise with sin, we not only bring the gospel into disrepute. We also show the worst sort of ingratitude to the God Who has taken our sin upon Himself so that we might become righteous (5:21), so that we might abandon our sin and live only for His glory (5:15).

So today, will we take the risk of sharing the gospel in word and deed? Will we show the truth of the gospel as we seek to live holy lives? And in these ways, will we be successful ambassadors for Christ?

II Corinthians 6:1-7:1 (ESV)

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;
7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

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.