2nd Corinthians 6:1-10 THE WORKER'S STANDARDS In any service we do for the Lord we are called upon to do, there are standards of conduct and reasonable protocols that should be followed. Otherwise the pressures to compromise the truth in order to gather numbers to appear successful, or the subtle appeals to adapt our message and our actions to make the Gospel attractive, will undermine the whole purpose of the Gospel. How could those Corinthians ignore God's message and God's messenger when they had experienced salvation by grace? Why could they not see through those men who were creating confusion, and what appeal did they have to a real believer? The teaching of the false teachers appealed to the flesh and the teaching of Paul brought conviction and focused on the grace of God. God's message affects people in a way that is not just the normal reaction to one who sermonizes. The salvation message is important and insists on repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ alone to be reconciled to God.
Paul, the evangelist, realized his calling came from God. God didn't need his assistance in His work, but he had his own part to do in the ministry of reconciliation. It was to remind people of what God has done already and what He has a right to expect of every person who declares the Gospel. In this ministry one plants, another waters and God gives the increase. He allows us the privilege of serving in this ministry. Paul beseeches the Corinthian believers to realize that the grace of God to them has the work of reconciliation as one of the major reasons behind it. The quotation of scripture from Isaiah pointed out there is help for sinners and now is the time for us to urge them to take advantage of this help. The reason is clear the help is assured.
The cause of Paul's service was his awareness of being workers together with Him. He knew what he was doing in his ministry and did not give offense lest his message of reconciliation be hindered. Our actions in ministry communicate our attitude towards the Lord and toward people. Carelessness and indifference about spiritual things are easily seen by both believers and unbelievers. Not every situation in life in which we find ourselves for the sake of our ministry, will be pleasant. But a bad situation may turn out to be an opportunity. Our reaction to conflict, family problems, financial problems, joblessness and other areas of pressure in our lives, reflect the strength of our faith or the lack of our faith.
The ten features of the circumstances in which Paul was because of his ministry, approved his credibility as a trusted laborer for the Lord. Unwanted circumstances can often test us as to the reality of what we profess. It is in those troublesome times of life when there seems to be so many problems, that the reality of what we have professed in words, becomes real in deeds. In the same way eleven features of character are listed.
Each one testifies to Paul personal character and the character of his work. Much of what we do and say in the ministry of reconciliation is supported by who we are. The "armor of righteousness" is a strong defense in our stand against the pressures of the flesh. We also have access to the "armor of light" with which we can defend ourselves against those things of darkness the world will tempt us with. Even more, we have the "whole armor of God" at our disposal to withstand the devil. The armor of righteousness on the right hand is our offensive weapon with which we go forward in our ministry in spite of obstacles and opposition. On our left hand we have defensive armor to protect us when attacks are made against our motives, message and methods.
In spite of what may come against us or hinder the way before us as we advance in the work of reconciliation, we have to remain true to God and to His word. There should never be any compromise to the biblical standards of truth in the message we proclaim, nor in the righteousness of the one who declares the message. There are eight phrases in these verse that testify to the challenge of the ministry we have received. Each one defines a fundamental response either in contrast to what is wrong or in complexity as to what is right. In reading and studying through these phrases of very challenging description, we are made conscious as to how we need to emulate those laborers of an earlier time. They had a ministry to fulfill. They knew what it was they were supposed to do and did it in spite of obstacles, opposition from false teachers around them, and the criticisms of believers whose expectation was a much easier course. To expect the life-transforming message of reconciliation to be gladly received by everyone is unrealistic. We need to simply know what we believe, what we have been called to do and not deviate nor turn aside from that to which God has called us.
2 Corinthians 6:1. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”
WORKERS TOGETHER. Grace, we received at the original Source, whether from here or some far distant land. And each of life’s action follows a course, that originates from God strong right hand. It is not in each one that the power is given, to do a work uncommon to man. The grace that enables us to face up to sin, is that each phase of God’s work can be spanned.
One works in the city, another in the field, and others in languages diverse. One preaches, one teaches, others privately speak; that people might be freed from the curse. Some work in the public eye, some in small rooms; so that wherever the Spirit may choose; There are those put in place to meet face to face, those who are in danger and their soul will lose.
One sits down and writes in a letter or tract, and sends it off to a friend they might know. Another may speak similar words on the street, so that lost ones wherever he goes, Learn God’s grace has made provision for him, and through His workers He thus can show, The way of salvation and deliverance from sin, and God’s truth in the heart surely grows.
As workers together, God’s people are found, in the places He wants them to be. It may be near home that God wants you to work, or maybe in lands `cross the sea. Workers and works all vary in kind, what you do may be far different than me. But all working together in the field of the Lord; someday a full harvest will see.
May none of us hold back from the work we can do; for right now the harvest is ripe. We don’t work by ourselves; we are workers together to gather the sheaves before night. The crop in the field is about to perish; and never dare we slack in the fight Against all opposition and some superstition, we must never God’s glory lose sight.
Workers together are a powerful force; all the gifts that God gave have a place. Workers together meet multiplied needs, when all of the workers have space To each do his part in the on-going plan to bring in God’s harvest in haste. The motivating force in this work that we do, is ultimately - God’s saving grace.
“O Lord of the harvest, and God of our salvation: in this field in which I labor, I am conscious of others who are at work that I may never see. Bless their labors, O God, and give them the assurance that their labor is not in vain. Some we will strive together with, for the faith of the Gospel, and will blend our efforts. Others are unseen and unheard of but we will all join together as one, when the harvest day is finished. To God be all the glory! Amen.”