2 Corinthians 6 - What Does It Mean To Be Holy But Not Holier Than Thou?

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Paul says a couple of things in the opening verses. He says, "I urge you not to receive God's grace in vain". Though God gives us his grace and mercy freely through Jesus Christ, like any gift we need to use it. We are set free from the power of sin and death to serve the Lord using our spiritual gifts to build up the church. We are set free from sin to live a life worthy of our calling. We need to "live in God's grace" every day. 

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

Paul stresses to them the urgency of salvation. Today is the day to experience God's deliverance, which is the other word for salvation. We need to have this same urgency with people today. Some people want to wait to follow God later in life. They procrastinate either coming to Christ, or living for him. Waiting to serve God is always dangerous. First, because we never know when we will die. Second, we never no when we will get to the point where we are just not interested in God. 

Paul’s Hardships

One of Paul's consistent themes in his letters and relationships with the churches he has founded is that he doesn't want to be a "stumbling block" to their faith. Someone has said, "The only thing that should be offensive is the gospel". It takes an unselfish, humble, servant to be more concerned about others than exercising their freedom to do whatever they want. 

Paul then gives a "laundry list" of all the things he has endured for the sake of the gospel and in service to them. When you read through them all you see Paul's incredible commitment, courage, and faithfulness to the gospel. When we suffer for the gospel we shouldn't be surprised. When we see this list, we will see that most of us will never have to go through these kinds of trials. 

We often talk about the persecution of Christians in America. And while yes they are real, compared to Paul's persecution, they seem pretty insignificant.  Yet, we know many have suffered greatly for the sake of the gospel over the past fifty to a hundred years. 

Paul ends this set of verses with his love for them. He wants them to love him as much as he loves them. Paul desires a mutual relationship of serving together for the sake of the gospel. He has held nothing back in his relationship with them. He has been completely transparent admitting his own weaknesses. Since this is his last letter this is one of the last things he wants them to remember

Warning Against Idolatry

One of the biggest and most damaging sins Israel committed in the Old Testament was idolatry. There was probably no other sin God hates worse. Why? Because is a direct reflection of our relationship with God. The most important thing to God is our trust in him. Like any relationship trust in paramount. 

In this case the Corinthians had been "yoked" with unbelievers, who served pagan idols. To be yoked is the same word used for marriage. It is a deep, intimate relationship not a casual acquaintance. It was not just dabbling with idolatry but metaphorically "getting in bed" with those gods. 

One of the greatest things God calls us to be is set apart and holy. Don't confuse this with being "holier than thou" in a judgmental sense. Holiness has gotten a bad rap because of the perception of what this means. We are set apart and given the "HOLY SPIRIT" to keep our holiness, which is also a gift from God. We are set apart by grace, but we can choose to be conformed to the world in its many varieties of holiness. We are called by grace, saved by grace, and live by grace. 

Where are you suffering trials as a Christian? As you think about Paul's suffering for the sake of the gospel does it put yours in perspective? 

In what sense do you see yourself as set apart or holy? What things in your life cause you to dabble in the world? How can you avoid those things? Who do you have in your life that reminds you that you are set apart and exhorts you when you are "yoked' in the world?