2 Coríntios 6

2 Coríntios 6

Ellicott put it rightly: “For each church and nation, for each individual soul, there is a golden present which may never again recur” (Commentary for English Readers, entry for 2 Corinthians 6:2). James 4:17 says, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Once we know what is right, we are responsible to do it. And once we know something is sin, we are responsible to repent of it and forsake it. We dare not delay repentance. There was a time when the Lord shut the door of the ark, and the flood swept everyone outside the ark away (Genesis 7:16). There came a time when the wedding party began, and those who were not ready for the coming of the bridegroom were locked out (Matthew 25:1–13). GotQuestions.org James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - SALVATION NOW 2 Corinthians 6:2 1. A Great Blessing, “Salvation.” 2. A Gracious Offer, “Accepted time.” 3. A Present Necessity, “Now, now.” 4 A Pressing Call, “Behold! behold!” Now Is the Day I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Corinthians 5:18–6:2 Our preschool-age granddaughter Maggie and her kindergarten-age sister Katie hauled several blankets to the backyard, where they proceeded to build a blanket tent in which to play. They had been outside a while when their mom heard Maggie call for her. “Mom, come here quick!” Maggie yelled. “I want to ask Jesus into my heart, and I need your help!” Apparently at that moment her need for Jesus became clear to her, and she was ready to put her faith in Him. Maggie’s urgent call for help in trusting Jesus brings to mind Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6 about salvation. He was discussing the reality that Jesus Christ’s coming—including His death and resurrection—instituted an era he called “the time of God’s favor.” We live in that time, and salvation is available to all right now. He said, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (v. 2). For all who have not yet trusted Jesus for forgiveness, the time to do so is now. It is urgent. Heavenly Father, I now understand my need to have my sins forgiven. I also realize that only Jesus—because of His sacrifice on the cross—can forgive my sin. I put my faith and trust in Jesus today. Please forgive me and become the Lord of my life. There’s no better day than today to enter into God’s family. ILLUSTRATION - Once a newly assigned demon was explaining his strategy to a veteran. “My plan,” he said proudly, “is to convince the man that there is no God.” “No,” said the senior devil, “That will not work. All the man has to do is take a look beyond the earth and he will know that God exists.” “Well, then,” said the junior demon, “I will convince him that there is no devil.” “That is more promising,” replied the veteran tempter, “but, still, if he takes a close look around his own neighborhood, he will realize that the devil exists. Here’s the best plan. Don’t try to convince him that there is no God or that there is no devil. Just tell him there is no hurry.” May I say to you this morning that you have no guarantee that you will see another Christmas, or even this one. I urge you this morning, I implore you to be reconciled to God today. ANOTHER VARIATION OF THE DEMON ILLUSTRATION - There is an ancient story about three demons who were arguing over the best way to destroy the Christian mission in the world. The first demon says, “Let’s tell all the Christians there is no heaven. Take away the reward incentive and the mission will collapse.” The second demon says, “Let’s tell all the Christians there is no hell. Take away the fear of punishment and the mission will collapse.” The third demon says, “There is one better way. Let’s tell all the Christians that there is no hurry” and all three immediately say, “That’s it! All we have to do is tell them there’s no hurry and the whole Christian enterprise will collapse.” Time And Eternity In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.. —2 Corinthians 6:2 Today's Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15 My wife and I were visiting with some friends who had known my father, Dr. M. R. De Haan, when he was the pastor of their church. His ministry had left a deep and lasting impression on them. One woman told about an unforgettable experience that happened 50 years earlier. She was listening as my father preached on God’s judgment and the reality of hell. As he neared the end of his sermon, he stopped abruptly. For an entire minute he didn’t say a word. All that could be heard was the ticking of a large clock on the wall. The sound seemed to grow louder with each passing second. In fact, the steady “tick-tock” became almost deafening to those under conviction by the Holy Spirit. Then with his commanding voice my father reminded the audience, “You are now one minute nearer to eternity!” The woman who told me the story said that she was frightened. And even though she didn’t receive Christ that evening, the experience of hearing that ticking was so vivid in her mind that it ultimately led to her conversion. How can you go another day? Respond to Christ, do not delay; Just trust in Him, His Word believe, Eternal life you will receive. —JDB To avoid being lost in eternity, receive Christ in time. Sunrise In Heaven Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. —2 Corinthians 6:2 Today's Scripture: Luke 12:16-21 “It’s unsinkable!” That was the proud boast made by the builders of the Titanic, the magnificent ocean liner that on April 14, 1912, went down during its maiden voyage. Most of the 2,100 passengers were sent to their deaths. In an article for the Danish magazine Evangelisten, Ingvald Andersen told about one of the passengers, John Harper, who was a fervent witness for Christ. According to a survivor, on the evening of the disaster John had led a young Englishman to faith in the Savior. Soon afterward, John went for a walk on the deck with his daughter and a niece. As they were admiring the spectacular sunset, Harper said, “It is going to be beautiful in the morning.” For him and any other Christian who died that night, the next morning was beautiful. Theirs was sunrise on their first day in heaven. Andersen, as he related all of this, urged his readers to be certain of their own relationship to Jesus. Fuller - 2 COR. 6:2. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. A minister of the gospel determined on one occasion to preach on the text, “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” Whilst in his study, thinking, he fell asleep, and dreamed that he was carried into hell, and set down in the midst of a conclave of lost spirits. They were assembled to devise means whereby they might get at the souls of men. One rose, and said, “I will go to the earth, and tell men that the Bible is all a fable, that it is not divinely appointed of God.” No, that would not do. Another said, “Let me go: I will tell men that there is no God, no Saviour, no heaven, no hell”; and at the last words a fiendish smile lighted upon all their countenances. “No, that will not do: we cannot make men believe that” Suddenly one arose, and with a wise mien, like the serpent of old, suggested, “No: I will journey to the world of men, and tell them that there is a God, that there is a Saviour, that there is a heaven,—yes, and a hell too,—but I’ll tell them there is no hurry; TO-MORROW will do, it will be ‘even as to-day.’ ” And they sent him. In Nebuchadnezzar’s image, the lower the members, the coarser the metal; the farther off the time, the more unfit. To-day is the golden opportunity; to-morrow will be the silver season; next day but the brazen one; and so on, till at last I shall come but to the toes of clay, and be turned to dust. The Transaction Now is the day of salvation. —2 Corinthians 6:2 Today's Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 Can more than half of the US adult population be wrong? A survey by the Barna Research Group recently revealed that 54 percent say that people who are generally good and do enough good things for others will earn a place in heaven. That is just one of many methods people suggest as ways to merit entrance into God’s eternal kingdom. Let’s think about what has to happen for a person to get to heaven, and why the “good works” idea falls short. First, we must recognize that we are all born spiritually dead. In Ephesians 2:1, we are taught that we “were dead in trespasses and sins.” The spiritual aspect of our existence was dead on arrival when we were physically born into this world. That soul, however, can be made alive. Paul described it like this: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). To be made alive, a transaction must take place. Something specific has to happen to turn what was dead into something alive. It is not triggered by good works but happens only when, by faith, you accept God’s gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2; Ephesians 2:8). Choose now, just now; your soul’s at stake; What will your answer be? ’Tis life or death; the choice you make Is for eternity. —Anon. Life’s biggest decision is what you do with Jesus. Are You Ready? Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. —2 Corinthians 6:2 Today's Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 Julie felt bad. While she was helping the little guys avoid one danger, she had made them vulnerable to another. Despite her efforts, that bunny met his demise. As she told me about it, she said, “It made me think of my own mortality.” That’s not something college students think much about. But they should, and so should all of us. Many people do not want to admit that life tomorrow is not guaranteed. We don’t know if we’ll live until tomorrow, or for 50 more years. Oh, why not turn while still you may; Too late it soon will be— A glorious life you can possess Throughout eternity. —Anon. Death could come at any time—so we must be ready all the time. ILLUSTRATION OF TODAY IS THE DAY Dwight L. Moody, by his own admission, made a mistake on the eighth of October 1871 -- a mistake he determined never to repeat. He had been preaching in the city of Chicago. That particular night drew his largest audience yet. His message was "What will you do then with Jesus who is called the Christ?" By the end of the service, he was tired. He concluded his message with a presentation of the gospel and a concluding statement: "Now I give you a week to think that over. And when we come together again, you will have opportunity to respond." A soloist began to sing. But before the final note, the music was drowned out by clanging bells and wailing sirens screaming through the streets. The great Chicago Fire was blazing. In the ashen aftermath, hundreds were dead and over a hundred thousand were homeless. Without a doubt, some who heard Moody's message had died in the fire. He reflected remorsefully that he would have given his right arm before he would ever give an audience another week to think over the message of the gospel. A Closing Door Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. —2 Corinthians 6:2 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2 Beep, beep, beep, beep. The warning sound and flashing lights alerted commuters that the train door was about to close. Yet a few tardy individuals still made a frenzied scramble across the platform and onto the train. The door closed on one of them. Thankfully, it rebounded and the passenger boarded the train safely. I wondered why people took such risks when the next train would arrive in a mere 4 minutes. There is a far more important door that we must enter before it closes. It is the door of God’s mercy. The apostle Paul tells us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Christ has come, died for our sins, and has risen from the grave. He has opened the way for us to be reconciled to God and has proclaimed for us the day of salvation. Today is that day. But one day the door of mercy will close. To those who received and served Christ, He will say, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matt. 25:34). But those who don’t know Him will be turned away (v.46). Today Thy gate is open, And all who enter in Shall find a Father’s welcome, And pardon for their sin. —Allen There’s no better day than today to enter into God’s family. 2 Corinthians 6:3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, The Living Bible We try to live in such a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act, so that no one can find fault with us and blame it on the Lord. NET 2 Corinthians 6:3 We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. BGT 2 Corinthians 6:3 Μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπήν, ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία, NLT 2 Corinthians 6:3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. ESV 2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, NIV 2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. YLT 2 Corinthians 6:3 in nothing giving any cause of offence, that the ministration may be not blamed, ASV 2 Corinthians 6:3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; CSB 2 Corinthians 6:3 We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. MIT 2 Corinthians 6:3 Do nothing that trips up anyone in any way, lest your service be found unacceptable. NRS 2 Corinthians 6:3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, NAB 2 Corinthians 6:3 We cause no one to stumble in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry; NJB 2 Corinthians 6:3 We avoid putting obstacles in anyone's way, so that no blame may attach to our work of service; GWN 2 Corinthians 6:3 We don't give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. BBE 2 Corinthians 6:3 Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work; 2Co 1:12 2Co 8:20 Mt 17:27 18:6 Ro 14:13 1Co 8:9-13 1Co 9:12,22 1Co 10:23,24,32,33 2 Corinthians 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Corinthians 8:9-13+ But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. 1 Corinthians 9:12; 22+ If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. .....22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 10:32-33+ Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. "NO FAULT" MINISTRY Wick Boomall feels that all of the participles from 2Co 6:3-10 are attached to "we also urge you..." in 2Co 6:1. He adds that "The negative thought of 6:3 is stated affirmatively in 6:4a, and then, in 6:4b-10, expanded antithetically and ascensively by the use (in ASV) of in (eighteen times), by (three times), and as (seven times). Here is a multicolored rainbow glowing with the graces of Paul’s ministry. Cf. 2:14ff.; 4:8-10; 11:16-23." (2 Corinthians 6) Ray