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.
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:1-14
Working together. What does that really look like in the ekklesia (Church) / Body of Christ? Are we members of the Body and Jesus the Head, giving direction, and instruction through the Holy Spirit to ALL the members so as to work together in perfect harmony? Do we follow Christ or the professional minister (pastor)? Whom do we get our marching orders from?
I absolutely love working with the family of God whom He has connected me with. We are like members who really know one another and have learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses and work together in the best possible ways. So much of the ekklesia don’t really know one another. Because of the institutional system most are just faces and slight acquaintances that we see (possibly smile, and wave or nod to) as we file in and out of the ‘entertainment’ building / space. One can sit in that space and never really be known or connected to anyone else … for years. Is that really the Body of Christ?
Do those you know and are connected to in Christ … have they experienced any of the list of situations Paul lists here? When you face ANY of those together the bonds of relationship get SO much stronger. The challenges faced together make for real friendships and deep relationships. The family that camps together is so much stronger and more united. Why? When faced with challenges outside or our normal lives it will always force us to work together in ways we have yet to experience. The same is true for the Body of Christ. Are you working with them outside of the institutional campus? Are you meeting and working together helping one another? As a family of God are you working together on the commission Jesus gave to all of us? Make disciples, baptize them, and teach them. (Matthew 28:19-20)
I’d encourage you to get out of your normal routine and go work together as the Spirit directs.