Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Have you learned to accept people for where they are in their life? Can you love them in Christ? We in America we are very good at holding grudges and things against one another. Why else do we have so many fractions in the Body of Christ? Paul asks those in the Corinth group of The Way to ‘widen their hearts’. I think there were some in that group that still held ought against Paul. I would imagine because he called out and exposed their sexual immorality. No one likes to have their sins exposed. But Christ wants us to have soft hearts and for us to be quick to repentance. Do you dismiss certain people because they hold onto certain doctrines you disagree with? Can you learn to separate that person from what they believe? Can you love that person and work on areas you can agree on? Always leaning deeply into the wisdom from the Holy Spirit working in the fruit He has planted into your life towards those individuals. Does His love cover offensive behaviors and wrong thinking? Not agreeing with the untruth but loving the individual while they continue to offend others. Can you speak the truth to them in love? Can you move into His grace for yourself and others?
When you read the list of what Paul says servants of God go through — do you relate to any of those things? Have you experienced any personal slander, or hunger, or imprisonments, or sleepless nights for the ministry the Holy Spirit has asked you to do? Have you been called an imposter, or a no-body, or a poor worthless no one, or a heretic? Unfortunately the religious types can be the most ruthless and merciless in excoriating people. It is true that ‘Church’ hurts tend to be some of the deepest and hardest to endure. But we aren’t part of the human institution of religion we are part of the Body of Christ that is made of ‘living stones’ that is under the One Shepherd — Jesus. We need to continually lean into the Holy Spirit who is always there for us in wisdom and comfort helping us remember His Word that He has spoken directly to our hearts. We will continually point to the risen Christ as the Way for each individual in life. We will continue to preach the work of the Spirit of Christ (Holy Spirit) for the discipleship of the individual. For He is the Teacher and the One who brings revelation and inspiration, ever working to change us into the very character of Jesus.
We are called to ‘make’ disciples. (Matthew 28:19) How is that done? Our first experience of discipleship should really the family with the example of loving parents and obedient children. Paul often speaks to those he brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as ‘children’. He literally gave His life for those ‘children’, just like Jesus did. What is the goal and pursuit of this life? To heap up mounds of riches, lands, and things? What profit will they be to you when you die? Yet — our children in Christ will be with us eternally. So will all those who truly love Him and are known by Him. It gives me great comfort knowing those truths. To think we’ll be with our close friends and family together with Him for eternity! That makes the present the most important time in our lives. For NOW is the time to be listening to Him and serving Him in our daily life in every aspect and place. For we truly are His ambassadors to those we encounter. Are you easily offended? Or are you secure in the love of Christ? Are you always fearful? Or do you have a deep revelation of His love residing within you? Do you like religion? Or do you have an intimate relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Has Jesus asked you to ‘grow up’? Are you able to hear His correction in your life?
Understand the ‘time’ and how important it is.