I Endure All Things For the Elect's Sake That They May Also Obtain the Salvation Which Is In Christ Jesus - Part 1528

"We then as workers together [with Him] beseech you also that ye received not the grace of God in vain. For He saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers and [yet] true; as unknown and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway[s] rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing and [yet] possessing all things." (II Corinthians 6:1-10)

In academic English, the above scripture would be considered one very long run-on sentence. Still, apostle Paul is conveying a very important message here. That is, we -- as members of the body of Christ are workers together with the King of kings and Lord of lords so that those who do not know His love and mercy and grace firsthand can know that today is the day of salvation, Today is the accepted time to clothe oneself in the righteousness of our Lord God our Saviour Jesus the Christ.

As Paul states: "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry. [Ye are] God's building, according to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder. I have laid the foundation and another builds thereon ..."  (I Corinthians 3:9-10)

How do we become workers together with Him?

By giving no offence in anything. In both patience and afflictions. In necessities and distresses. In stripes and imprisonments. In tumults and labours and watchings and fastings. Is this of ourselves? Of course not because we (in our human capacity) still fall short, even while we press toward the mark of His high calling. This is why it is imperative to remain focused on Jesus. With the Lord Jesus leading and guiding and instructing our every step, we (as Paul points out) "have received not the grace of God in vain."

Rather than focusing on the worldy, Paul is encouraging us to "draw near [to Him] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22)

Why? Because when we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, He gives us the ability to love one another, shining His light to the world as that city on a hill. (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4)  And as a consequence of His abundance of love for us, we can become pure in Him -- working towards perfection in all things, as James indicated.

By knowledge - "That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge ..." (I Corinthians 1:5)

By long suffering - "Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.: (Colossians 1:11)

By kindness - "That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7)

By the Holy Ghost - "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." (Jude 1:20)

By love unfeigned - "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." (I Timothy 1:5)

By the Word of truth - "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)

By the power of God -- "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:4-5)

By the armour of righteousness on both the right arm and the left - "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:11-13)

Even in honour and dishonour  --"Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honour all the day ..." (Psalm 71:8)

In both evil report and good report, continue to "minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (I Peter 1:12)

In the face of deceivers and false witnesses, remain true -- "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-christ." (II John 1:7)

As both an unknown and [yet] well known, we know from whence comes our salvation -- "Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." (Acts 2:28)

That even in dying, we still behold Him in all His glory. Our desire being to live continuously in Him, cuddled/snuggled in His arms knowing that His love trumps all. As chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing and [yet] possessing all things. Herein, is our blessing in the Lord, and our motivation for becoming a worker for Him.

How does Paul conclude? By saying, "O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straightened in your own bowels. Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged." (II Corinthians 6:11-13)

The Lord has called us and ordained us to do His will. To become disciples of the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. To tell the world of His kindness and love that surpasses all human understanding. "The first man is of the earth; the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:47)

The Lord of glory. Jesus the Christ who shed His precious blood on the cross for you and I so that we could be sanctified through His truth. "Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17)

Thus, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Stand in the offering plate.