LHC Midday Word: The Second letter of Paul to the CORINTHIANS

1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favour I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

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3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

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14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

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Word by Word Meditations

By Fred Ursell

2nd Corinthians 6: “now” (v.2)

After quoting Isaiah 49 v.8 (“in the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you”), Paul provides his instant application of this text: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation” (v.2). It’s a double whammy!

Do you want God’s favour? Take it right “now”! Do you want him to forgive and save you? Ask him “now”! No time like the present! Do you want him to hear your prayer? Speak up, and let him hear your cry “now”! Do you want him to help you? Reach out to him “now”! It’s a simple formula, and it works! Use it ... “now”!

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READING

The Second letter of PAUL to the

CORINTHIANS - Chapter SIX

Read by David Suchet