Working Together With Him [2 Corinthians 6]

       For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
         "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
         AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
         17"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord.
         "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
         And 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.

I heard a joke once that the guy who made the chapter divisions in the Bible did so while riding on his donkey. Every time the donkey tripped, the guy made a chapter division. In other words, the chapter divisions in the Bible often are not logical. You can see an example here in 2 Corinthians with the ending sentence of chapter 5 continuing with the beginning sentence of chapter 6. When that sentence is read as one complete thought, the thought is quite remarkable and I don't want you to miss it.

(2 Corinthians 5: 21)"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 6:1) and working together with Him we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain-"

Jesus took your sins and got rid of them so that you could not only become the righteousness of God through Jesus, but so that you could work together with Him! How awesome is that?

The majority of chapter 6 is dedicated to explaining how to do ministry with Jesus without causing offense and discrediting the work of Jesus. Note that this ministry is done in the Holy Spirit and in the power of God. You can't minister without God's power. His grace is pouring out on you and your job is to keep yourself positioned to catch that grace so that it can flow out of you and touch the lives of others for Christ.

Paul completed this chapter with a quote from the Old Testament (above), another remarkable statement that leaves me in awe of what Jesus did for you and for me. Can you get your mind around the idea that you are the temple of the living God?

So what keeps you from working together with Him? Paul explained that, too in verse 12. He said that you are restrained from living well for Jesus "in your own affections" or desires.

May you be inspired by the love of Christ and what He did for you and join in working together with Him more fervently by exchanging your affections for His power and guidance as you enter into 2009.

Beth Warlick, 12/31/2008