Scripture Reading : 2 Corinthians 6
Theme : Servants of God
As ambassadors of Christ, believers bring the message of reconciliation to a hostile world, which could either be embraced or rejected. Nowhere is such tension between honor and dishonor better expressed than Paul in this passage.
- Paradox of God’s servants (6:1-10). As privileged coworkers of God (cf. 1 Cor. 3:9), Paul could not permit the Corinthian church to be deceived by a false gospel or be led astray from the true path of sanctification, hence he pleaded earnestly with them not to receive the grace of God in vain. Not only that, he also demonstrated great endurance as a true ambassador of Christ, even as he faced contrasting paradox in his ministry (v8-10).
- Appeals of God’s servants (6:11-13). One of false accusations against Paul was the charge that he had no real affection for the Corinthian church. Hence throughout the letter, Paul repeatedly affirmed his love for the church (2 Cor. 2:4; 11:11; 12:15) and pleaded with them not to close their hearts to him by believing these lies.
- Mandate of God’s servants (6:14-18). Not only that, the false teachers were also eager to blend the Corinthians with pagan worshippers in order to make themselves popular, thus Paul gave this mandate to separate because believers and unbelievers belong in different spiritual realm and all false religions are virulently hostile to God. Hence believers must obey God’s command and be separated from unbelievers in order to enjoy the blessings of an intimate relationship with God.
Praying the Scripture
- The noblest view of ministry is to see it as working together in partnership with God (2 Cor. 6:1a). Disappointment over the difficulties in ministry often begin with a failure to understand the high privilege to which God’s servants are called. Let’s pray that we will have a high view of ministry and endure faithfully regardless of the difficulties.
- Believers and unbelievers inhabit two opposing world. Christians are in Christ’s kingdom, which is characterised by righteousness, light and eternal life. Unbelievers are in Satan’s kingdom, which is characterised by lawlessness, darkness and spiritual death. Therefore a believer has no common spiritual ground with an unbeliever. Let’s pray that we will not be bound to unbelievers in any spiritual effort though we continue to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
经文：哥林多后书6
主题：神的仆人
身为基督的大使，信徒将与神和好的信息带到一个敌对的世界，而这信息可以被他们接纳或拒绝。保罗在这段经文便很好地阐述了荣耀与羞辱之间的冲突。
- 神仆人面对的矛盾（6:1-10）。哥林多教会是神的同工（参：林前3:9），是负有特权的一群，所以保罗不容许他们被假福音欺骗，或因此偏离成圣的真道。因此，保罗恳求他们不要白白领受神的恩典。不但如此，身为基督的真使者，即便在事工上不断遇到矛盾，保罗也展现了极大忍耐（8-10节）。
- 对神仆人的呼吁（6:11-13）。保罗面对的其中一个假指控是他对哥林多教会没有真实的情感。因此，保罗在书信中不断向教会肯定他的爱（2:4；11:11；12:15），也请求他们不要听信那些谎言，从而疏远他。
- 对神仆人的命令（6:14-18）。不仅如此，假教师也积极地想让哥林多信徒与非信徒混合为一，叫他们能大受人的欢迎，所以保罗下令信徒要与非信徒分别，因为他们各属不同的属灵领域，而神恨恶所有的假宗教。信徒必须遵行神的吩咐，要与非信徒分别为圣，才能和神有亲密的关系，从中享福。
用经文祷告
- 看待事工最崇高的观念是将它视为是个人与神的合伙（林后6:1）。神的仆人在事工上若遇困难而感失望，常常是因为他们看不到被召实际是个何等大的特权。让我们祷告我们对事工有崇高的观念，并在困难中能忠心，忍耐。
- 信徒和非信徒属于两个截然相反的世界。信徒属基督的国，有公义、光明和永生。非信徒属撒旦的国，是无法无天，黑暗及心灵死亡的世界。因此，信徒与非信徒在灵里是没有共同点的。让我们祷告我们虽然要继续“往普天下去，传福音给万民听”（可16:15），但我们不会与非信徒在灵里同负一轭。
