Bourland Family Blog

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 [AMP]

This is one of those days where the Amplified Bible version really helps consume the intent and interpretation of God’s Word. At first glance it in other versions you might be inclined to see this as an instruction about marriage. However, it is more about linking yourself with any involvement or activity that is inconsistent with our theological understanding of what it means to surrender to glorifying God in all that we do. At work, I engage in business decisions and actions with unbelievers but those actions and partnerships are not always inconsistent with my faith…however, there have been some. I remember being asked to ensure that an application that I was involved with building, did not break or work improperly with sites that cater to voyeuristic endeavors that ARE inconsistent with my faith and purity. I made the decision to remove myself from that product and no longer be in a situation where I might even be associated with that type of work. God honored that decision and provided the next set of opportunities that brought me to where I am today.

We must be ready to walk away from friendships and partnerships where even our ‘above approach’ is questioned. God is honored when we make choices that put His holiness and glory above any earthly exploit.

Nice.Quiet.Day – I worked about six hours and spent a lot of time doing things other than work for a change. It was relaxing and invigorating all at the same time. Thank you, Lord, for a nice quiet day to recharge and rest.

11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians [we are hiding nothing, keeping nothing back], and our heart is expanded wide [for you]!
12 There is no lack of room for you in [our hearts], but you lack room in your own affections [for us].
13 By way of return then, do this for me—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also [to us]. 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 [AMP]

First Paul says that he is speaking with ‘candor’ to the Corinthians and not only that, but there is also an investment in Paul’s and his companions’ hearts for the church at Corinth.

The Corinthians lacking room in their own hearts means that there has been a narrowing of the space allowed for their apostle…likely because they have allowed the criticisms leveled against Paul to restrict the breadth of room they have in their hearts for him.

Paul, then talking as though he was talking to his own children, beseeches the Corinthians for reciprocal affection.

Application:

There will be times in my ministry that my love for another may be greater than that returned to me. I can hear Paul’s pleading in his heart for this to be different. I wonder how I, a Christ Follower that is not even in the same league as Paul, can make movement here. God is the one who can move and change the heart…it becomes an aspect of my prayer life, treating others with respect, and living righteously that must be enough. IN Christ I am seen by the Father as justified and without blemish because of His Son. That is where I rest my identity, trust, and worth.

Today I had a nonstop 9-hour meeting with the GOV that started at 9am and ended right at 6:00pm. I am whooped…but not too whooped to hear what the Lord has for me today. My Life Group guys and I decided to push a change in our daily execution to always get in a few moments with the Lord. Most of us feel that taking notes and in my case posting a blog entry, need to be a part of that quiet time…meaning, if we don’t feel we have enough time to take notes or blog then it won’t be a worthwhile QT. That is bunk! So, we have made a commitment to each other to have a time of deliberate reading in God’s Word every day and directed; in other words, we won’t do the ‘close eyes and open to a place in the bible to read’. We will continue to read in our books we are focusing on -> 2 Corinthians for me.

8 Amid honor and dishonor; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report. [We are branded] as deceivers (impostors), and [yet vindicated as] truthful and honest.
9 [We are treated] as unknown and ignored [by the world], and [yet we are] well-known and recognized [by God and His people]; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed;
10 As grieved and mourning, yet [we are] always rejoicing; as poor [ourselves, yet] bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, and [yet in reality] possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 [AMP]

On the surface, when reading this, it can come across as depressing; but after careful consideration I find this very encouraging. Paul is outlining 9 antithesis statements representing the view of his ministry from a worldly point of view and then from a spiritual point of view. From the view of critics within the church and from those who are walking in obedience to the Lord.

The reason this is encouraging is because it clearly shows me where my ear should be tuned. It should not be bent toward the world or an unrepentant believer living in a veiled existence thinking they and their personal views are right. No, my ear should be angled toward the Lord and what He has to say; what He has to say through my trusted followers of Jesus Christ. I should not expect a different response from anyone who has not aligned themselves squarely on the teachings of my personal Lord and Savior.

6 By innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love;
7 By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]; 2 Corinthians 6:6-7 [AMP]

As I was reading through this passage today, I was really encouraged by the contrast of these 2 verses.

Verse 6 talks about having innocence, purity, knowledge, spiritual insight, longsuffering, patience, and kindness IN the Holy Spirit…in genuine/sincere love. All of these admirable attributes come after Paul telling us all about the things that he and his ministry have endured in persecution, imprisonment, and unspeakable hardships….BUT

…in Verse 7 he pulls out the BIG GUNS. These things in verse 6 are enabled through speaking the Word of TRUTH IN the Power of God. How? you might ask…

…with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]

2 Corinthians 6:7b [AMP]

Hands full of everything you need to fight…weapons of righteousness. I just like this idea that what when both the right and left hands are full of righteousness there is nothing else that needs to be wielded to both attack and defend. There is just something very powerful about this.

Boy, am I glad its Friday! This has been one rough week. Microsoft Layoffs, high stress meetings with the GOV, and trying to find time to write 2 documents that carry a lot of contractual responsibility with them. All the while I have had this sore throat and cough that just doesn’t want to go away. However, God is so good…all the time. No matter my predicament, He is always there for me in full force; standing ready to give me the comfort, wisdom, and peace that I need at that moment.

3 We put no obstruction in anybody’s way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited.
4 But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities,
5 In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger;
 2 Corinthians 6:3-5 [AMP]

There is a lot here today and covered 3 verses that have some very important points to the Corinthians in Corinth regarding Paul’s ministry. Remember that yesterday Paul was talking about not accepting God’s grace in vain. In verse 3 and 4a, Paul is saying that his own conduct as God’s messenger does not constitute a stumbling-block which might hinder the ‘proper’ acceptance of God’s grace by others. What he means he makes clear in what he says next, “so that no fault may be found and our (lit. the) ministry blamed and discredited”. If fault could be found in his ministry, and there were those in Corinth only too ready to find it, then presumably that could be used as an excuse to reject his message. So, then he says, “but we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God”. This is not really a personal commendation but more appropriately a commendation of a ministry.

Paul now goes into listing a bunch of factors to give evidence in commending his ministry.

• General Terms
  • Great Endurance
  • Tribulation and Suffering
  • Hardships and Calmities
• Particular Examples
  • Beatings
  • Imprisonments
  • Riots
• Voluntary Hardships
  • Labors
  • Sleepless watching
  • Hunger

It kind of seems strange that Paul would call out these hardships to ‘commend’ his ministry…but underneath this is Paul’s recognition that the true servant of God is the ‘Suffering Servant’, and that the one who is the ‘Loyal Follower of Christ’ will share the fate of Jesus.

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master.

Matthew 10:24

Application:

This really made me question whether I have really internalized ‘sharing in the fate of Jesus’ in my ministry. It might be easy to interpret this passage as Paul being boastful about himself and his ministry, but it is actually quite the opposite. When I think about my ministry, I need to be sure that I can stand with assurance that I am not standing in the way of someone properly receiving the grace of God. I must maintain a humble heart and crucify the prideful ‘Old Ben’ every day. I am the new Ben where that ‘Old Ben’ no longer lives but it is Christ who lives in me. This life I now live in the faith, I live by the grace of God Who loves me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 personalized to me)

2 Corinthians 6:1 [AMP]
LABORING TOGETHER [as God’s fellow workers] with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain [thatmerciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them—do not receive it to no purpose].

We so often hear about the abundance of God’s grace; however, here Paul gives a warning about receiving God’s grace without the appropriate reverence and respect due it. I think the way this looks lived out is when we are in a situation like a church service or night at High School camp where you hear the gospel and are convicted, yet push down that conviction not heeding God’s call on you at that moment. This is what it means to receive it with no purpose. The very next verse confirms:

2 Corinthians 6:2 [AMP]
For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation!

This is that moment – the moment God extends His gracious gift of salvation by forgiving you of all your sins through your acceptance of His Son as your personal sim bearer. Even after salvation I think that ignoring a call God is putting on your life as a born again adopted child of His, can put you in this place of grace applied with no purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 [NKJV]
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Today I came up on 2 of the most important verses in the Bible for believers. I just love that the heart of ambassadorship for Christ is imploring others to be reconciled to God Himself. As though God were pleading through us. This is one of the places in Gods Word where we see how even though God is so mighty and powerful, He still partners with and chooses to work through us to reach others and grow His Kingdom!

Then right after then amazing ambassadorship acknowledgement, Paul throws down the Gospel that leads to reconciliation. The most powerful line in these two verses for me is “that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”. When we are reconciled through Christ’s she’d blood, God sees us clothed in His righteousness, but He sees us that way IN His Son. Sooooo awesome!

The work drama continues into the weekend. With all of the new commitments and challenges, it becomes a difficult planning game versus scheduling/resources. I will have to work more through the next couple of days but hopefully I can keep it segregated from the time I need to be spending with my family.

11 Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment).
12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but we are providing you with an occasion and incentive to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who pride themselves on surface appearances [on the virtues they only appear to have], although their heart is devoid of them. 2 Corinthians 5:11-12 [AMP]

Today’s passage gives us a little deeper look into the perception struggles Paul dealt with in his ministry. Verse 11 can have 2 different meanings but when you look at Paul’s use of the Greek words he uses in this verse in other areas of writing, this is the definition that sticks out.

Verse 10 was talking about the Judgement seat we will all stand before when the Lord returns to launch the beginning of His forever Kingdom. In light of this eventual judgement, Paul feels led to ‘win people over’ or persuade them to ‘FEAR THE LORD’. What Paul is saying here is that his way of ‘winning’ or ‘persuading’ people is biblically supported and he has already denounced crafty and dishonest manipulation of God’s word…so this winning or persuading is God honor. The thinking is that this message was in his letter because there were detractors in the Corinthian church who were challenging and criticizing his approach. Paul is saying he has confidence in his approach because he has faith that this being wide open and visible to the Lord, is pleasing to Him.

This above interpretation is then supported by verse 12 where Paul is saying that those who are converts to Jesus that were led to their Salvation by Paul, can be proud of the ministry that brought them to that Salvation. Now he levies the target against those detractors by telling this church in Corinth to have pride in Paul’s ministry because it is God honoring; that the church can admonish those who pride themselves on ‘external appearances’ yet lack the pure heart which is God is really looking at.

I am so thankful for the Lord’s continued faithfulness in my life. I am so rundown from being sick, work craziness, and family drama. However, the Lord has been here with me every step of the way; giving me confidence and peace that He is in control and that I have nothing to worry about as I pursue Him.

6 So then, we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us].
7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.
8 [Yes] we have confident and hopeful courage and are pleased rather to be away from home out of the body and be at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him.
10 For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [AMP]

Today’s reading reinforced the little blurb I said above. I am here in this earthly tent (earthly body) but I have a hope in the eternal one. While I am here on this earth I must walk by Faith, not by sight or appearance…otherwise, I will be tempted into discouragement, worry, or even depression. So, just as verse 6 says above, I remain hopeful with confident courage because even though I am here in this earthly body I realize that I am on a trip abroad from my real home with the Lord.

The plan to stay in this good state is clearly stated in verse 9, “Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him.” Even though we are away in body from the Lord, we are to be ambitious and striving to please God…earnestly.

EARNESTLY: with sincere and intense conviction; seriously

Paul then explains why this is so important -> even as Christians we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ to hear the good and the bad of what we accomplished while here on earth. This amazing part of this part of the story is, when the ‘bad’ is totaled, it will be Jesus Himself Who steps forward and says “I have already paid the price for your sin which you received when you put your faith and trust in Me as your Savior. Welcome to my Kingdom!”