Today is Day of Salvation: 2 Corinthians 6

Read 2 Corinthians Chapter 6

Introduction: 2 Corinthians 6 is a touching appeal by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church, emphasizing the importance of responding to God’s grace with faith, commitment and integrity. Paul, in this chapter, talks about the hardships and responsibilities of being a true servant of God. He stresses the urgency of receiving God’s grace, exhorts believers to avoid being unequally yoked with unbelievers, and calls for a pure and holy life as we are the temple of the living God. With these words, God aims to inspire the Corinthian believers to seize their faith wholeheartedly and to live a life worthy of their calling.

I. The Appeal to Accept God’s Grace (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
In these verses, Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive God’s grace in vain, reminding them of this moment as the accepted time and the day of salvation. He quotes Isaiah 49:8, showing that the prophecy is fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus and His apostles.  We can read about the urgency of accepting God’s call when he calls in Hebrews 3:15, the Bible talks about urgency of responding to God’s voice today, don’t put off till tomorrow what should be done today. Also in Galatians 6:10, the Bible gives the encouragement of doing good while there is an opportunity.

II. Enduring Hardships as God’s Servants (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)
These verses speak of Paul’s hardships and the virtues he put on display as a servant of God. He speaks of tribulations, needs, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, and even more, showing how through it all he remained faithful, righteous, patient, and sincere. Paul suffered but he rejoiced about the suffering as we read in Romans 5:3-4, these verses talk about being able to rejoice in suffering.  We see in 1 Thessalonians 2:2, the Bible mentions the boldness we have in God despite the conflict we have in the world. And in James 1:2-4, our faith must be tried, the testing of faith is what  produces patience in us.

III. The Call for Open Hearts (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)
These verses speak to the church, asking them to open their hearts to him, as he has opened his heart to them. He seeks a mutual loving relationship with the church members. Other verses in teh Bible that refer to these are, 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 – Paul’s affectionate and fatherly approach to the Corinthians. Philippians 4:1 – expresses a deep affection for the believers and 1 John 3:18 – the call to love not only with words but also with actions.

IV. Warning Against Unequal Yoking (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)
Paul warns against forming partnerships with unbelievers, using the analogy of being unequally yoked. In the Old Testament, we read in Deuteronomy 22:10, God even gives a law forbidding yoking an ox and a donkey, unequally yoked as one is much more powerful than the other. He says that there can be no harmony or unity between righteousness and lawlessness, just and unjust, or light and darkness. If people would only consider these wise words, there would be a lot less divorces. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:7-11, we as believers should not partake with the unfruitful works of darkness, it just kind of rubs off if people are not careful. Also in 1 John 1:6, we see the self contradiction of claiming fellowship with God while walking in darkness.

V. The Call to Holiness (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
In these verses, Paul calls the Corinthians to separate themselves from the sinfulness of the world, promising that God will be their Father, and they will be His sons and daughters. He reminds them of several Old Testament passages to show that God desires a special relationship with His people.
He quotes Leviticus 26:12 – God’s desire to walk with His people, and Isaiah 52:11 – the command to depart from the unclean. Another verse that speaks of separation from the world is Revelation 21:7, Jesus gives a promise to the one who overcomes the world, they will be God’s child.

Conclusion: 2 Corinthians 6 remind us that the Christian life is filled with both challenges, calamity, and spiritual responsibilities. Paul urges the Corinthians to not waste the grace they have received, to be resilient in the face of adversity, to love sincerely, to separate from the ungodly influences of the world, and to live in holiness as children of God. His words are with urgency of now in year 2024, the present time, using his own life as an example, and the promise of a deep relationship with God as our Father. This chapter calls believers to examine their lives, to renew their dedication to God, and to live in such a way that honors the sacred calling they have received.