These are developing characteristics of those that " receive not the grace of God in vain."
2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry
be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,
IN
- in much patience,
- in afflictions,
- in necessities,
- in distresses,
2Co 6:5- In stripes,
- in imprisonments,
- in tumults,
- in labours,
- in watchings,
- in fastings;
2Co 6:6BY
- By pureness,
- by knowledge,
- by longsuffering,
- by kindness,
- by the Holy Ghost,
- by love unfeigned,
2Co 6:7- By the word of truth,
- by the power of God,
- by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8- By honour and dishonour,
- by evil report and good report:
AS
- as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9- As unknown, and yet well known;
- as dying, and, behold, we live;
- as chastened, and not killed;
2Co 6:10- As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;
- as poor, yet making many rich;
- as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Distinguishing ourselves by living a "straitened" life. 2 Corinthians 6:12
- 2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
- for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
- and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15- And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
- or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16- And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
- for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
- I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
- and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17
- Wherefore come out from among them,
- and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
- and touch not the unclean thing;
- and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18- And will be a Father unto you,
- and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2Co 7:1- Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,
let us
- cleanse ourselves from all filthiness
- of the flesh
- and spirit,
- perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- When you sin it is necessary "that ye sorrowed to repentance" 2Co 7:9
- Why? 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
- Because 2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,
- what carefulness it wrought in you,
- yea, what clearing of yourselves,
- yea, what indignation,
- yea, what fear,
- yea, what vehement desire,
- yea, what zeal,
- yea, what revenge!
- For "In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
- The effective result is comfort, joy, and refreshment.
- for the one repenting
- for the one who gave admonishment concerning the sin
- for others who view witness the matter
2Co 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all- What should be the reputation of spiritual people and how should they be received? 2Co 7:15
- whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all"
- "how with fear and trembling ye received him."
- with the result that "And his inward affection is more abundant toward you"
- 2Co 7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
- Chapter 7 also introduces how a Christian responds when faced with fears from within and fightings without. It was indeed a time of tribulation.
" I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
2Co 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. "
- The response was being filled with joy because of their awareness of the comfort of God when they were cast down.
(2Co 7:6) " Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down,"- Even in deep poverty, there is evidence of abundant joy and liberality of giving.
2Co 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.