II Corinthians 6-7:  Be Separate.

Paul's ministry in Corinth has been under attack by multiple parties, only a few of which have been expressly mentioned.  Although the attacks have had minimal lasting impact, they have forced Paul to spend significant time and energy defending his teachings and his apostolic authority.  Once again Paul finds it necessary to separate his teachings and his methods from those seeking to discredit him.  One strategy that Paul uses to demonstrate the authenticity of his cause via his selfless servant-hood.  Specifically, Paul notes that he refuses to place stumbling blocks (laws or requirements, such as circumcision) in the way of Christ followers.  Furthermore, Paul lists the hardships he has ensured for the cause:  troubles, distress, beatings, imprisonment, hunger, and so forth. 

In all these trials Paul has accepted them with purity, understanding, patience, and kindness - via the loving nature and power of the Holy Spirit.  Paul speaks with truthful speech and righteousness, empowered by God.  The Corinthian people can freely see for themselves what separates Paul from the motivation of the false teachers.  Beginning in verse 11 Paul sums up his argument, "We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.  We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us...Open wide your hearts also."  What Paul is saying is:  look Corinthians we have provided you with the plain truth of God's plan in simple language.  We have provided it with the loving kindness as is only possible through the Holy Spirit.  And we have provided it despite trials and hardships.  Can the false teachers that have been speaking to the Corinthian church make these same claims?  If not, then accept us with an open heart - in the same manner of Godly love as has been exhibited to you.

Paul switches gears in verse 14 as he begin a teaching segment.  "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers."  Picture in your minds two oxen yoked together with a secure framework that cannot be undone.  Both oxen are forced to act in unison, they no longer have the freedom to be independent.  It is to this type of arrangement that Paul is speaking.  Why?  Paul answers this with a series of questions:  "What do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  What fellowship can exist between light and dark?  What harmony can exist between Christ and Satan?"  Paul is not telling us to have no contact with unbelievers, but merely to not allow ourselves to be bound to an unbeliever.  The primary example would be marriage, we are not to marry an unbeliever.  What other relationships might Paul be addressing here? 

Paul defends this position with a number of Old Testament quotations prior to summing up the guiding principle, "... let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."  Can you provide some examples of contaminates of the body?  Of the spirit?

Beginning in the second verse of chapter seven, Paul encourages the Christians at Corinth to accept the teachings and ministry that have been provided.  "Make room for us in your hearts," Paul exhorts them, "we have wronged no one."  For when we came to Macedonia, explains Paul, we were harassed at every turn and we lived in fear.  Yet God comforted us by the message that Titus provided to us about you.  Titus told us how you longed for our return, your sorrow (over listening to false teachers), and about our concern for me.  Your concern brought me joy, concludes Paul.

Paul understood that his previous letter to the Corinthian, delivered by Titus, would cause sorrow for the church - even if for only a short time.  Paul is encouraged that the church has appropriately repented and changed the error of their ways.  They have broken fellowship with the false teacher and kicked him out of the church.)  Paul explains that sorrow leads to repentance, and repentance leads to salvation and leaves no regrets.  This is the path of Godly sorrow as opposed to worldly sorrow which brings death.  "See," Paul writes, "what this Godly sorrow has produced in you:  what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves...."

The encouragement and joy that Paul feels over the correction of the Corinthian church is expounded upon for the reminder of chapter seven.  Not only is the Corinth back on track but Paul is re-energized to continue his ministry in Macedonia.  Paul is glad that he can have complete confidence in the Corinthians. 

Can you recall a time when you had to discipline a child or subordinate?  Never an easy task.  One can find themselves second-guessing the methods used or he words said.  Yet how rewarding to learn that the child (or employee) has responded well!  Paul's joy is understandably.  One can imagine that God responds in a similar fashion.  Like Paul, God must be over joyed when, after a time of correction, we move from sorrow, to repentance, and on to salvation.

Thank you God for the lessons we learn from Paul's inspired messages.  Help me to accept your correction, and move from sorrow to repentance, knowing that my change of heart brings me closer to You.  I also pray for Your guidance in understanding exhortation to not be yoked with unbelievers.  I pray these things in Jesus name.  Amen.

Take aways:
1) We are not to be yoked with unbelievers.
2) We are to accept God correction and guidance with sincerity and love.
3) Godly sorrow leads to a changed heart (repentance), which leads to a closer relationship with God.