April 4, 2022
Out Standing
2 Corinthians 6
David Marvin
Central Truth
Following Jesus allows us to handle being falsely accused by the world around us, persevere in the face of suffering and persecution, find joy in Christ no matter the situation, and spend our lives investing in the only kingdom that will last: the Kingdom of God.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 6:8b-10
We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 6
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, 1 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
The Temple of the Living God
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? 2 6:15 Greek Beliar Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
18
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 6
About a year ago, while I was coaching my 5-year-old son's soccer team, I had an experience that reminds me of the importance of standing out by following Jesus. My son's team had practiced, prepared, and showed up ready for their game. But we immediately realized our opponents had something that would make all of that preparation basically worthless: the same color jerseys as our boys were wearing! Both teams were made up of 5-year-old boys wearing firetruck-red jerseys.
Why is that a problem? Because at 5 years old, you barely know the rules of the game; and without different color jerseys, you don't know who is on your team. For the next 45 minutes, the game consisted of confusion, "passes" made to boys on the other team, and general chaos. Not outstanding. To call it "soccer" would probably insult the sport.
That experience reminds me of the importance of looking distinct from those around us—and not just in the game of soccer, but in all of life, through following Jesus. In other words, we as Christians are to stand out from the world around us in how we live, give, date, raise children, and serve others we work with or live near. Too often, sadly, many Christians don't do so and end up looking just like the world around us. We don't love when mistreated, pray for those who persecute us, or find our value in being who Christ says we are. In general, we just look like everyone else. Not outstanding.
The Apostle Paul says if that is the case, we don't look like Jesus; we look like the world. What should we be? Following Jesus and standing out!
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways does following Jesus make your life look different from the lives of people around you who don't follow Him?
2. In what areas of your life do you look like "most people" rather than distinct for your faith?
3. In 2 Corinthians 6:8b, the Apostle Paul says that sometimes when we follow Christ, the world slanders or attacks us for this. Has this been your experience?
4. What is one area of your life (e.g., how you parent, spend, resolve conflict, save, care for people, etc.) that you would invite God and His people into so that you can grow in standing out from the world around?
5. Before going on about everything you have to do today, stop. Spend time praying about whatever answer you gave to Question 4 above.