2Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

How can one receive the grace of God in vain? I take, "in vain" to mean "for nothing".

Perhaps it means, don't receive the grace of God and then turn away from it and begin to cause offense by not living the holy life one needs to live once he or she has received the gospel. When one claims Christ and then lives in a sinful ungodly manner, the ministry will get the blame for it. People tend to blame all Christians for the misdeeds of only one.

Some commentators seem to think to receive the grace of God in vain would be simply to neglect receiving the gospel.

Yet we see Paul is talking with the Corinthian church here so I don't believe he is telling sinners not to neglect their salvation but instructing Christians not to receive God's grace in vain or for nothing. However, verse two reminds us that now is the accepted time to receive what God has prepared for us and not delay or put it off. Lay hold upon all the word and the truth now.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2Co 6:3 Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

The fruits of a true believer is to have patience in sufferings for the cause of Christ. Here is where many of us mess up. We get a little confrontation and opposition and instead of returning kindness and longsuffering toward those who oppose us, we get angry and desire God to take vengeance upon them.

If the reports I heard of Martin Luther are true, I believe he started out great and delivered so many out of the bondage of false religion and opened the door to the truth of God's word. However, it seems as if he first was quite zealous in wanting to evangelize the Jews which is good but when they rejected his message, he couldn't control his anger and lashed out by writing and saying things that later was used against the Jews during the Holocaust. I don't know how many of these reports are true but if they are, we can see that he allowed the flesh to take over and reacted with a lack of patience and love.

It is so important to walk in the spirit so that we don't say and do things that may harm the reputation of the gospel and true faith in Jesus. Much shame has come upon the church because of the sins of people who do things in the name of Christ that cause more harm than good.

2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

We are again reminded of the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians about love. Without the love of God shed in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, we cannot do the job right.

2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

That righteousness is to remain in us causing us to set the example to all who watch our lives. What a responsibility. We are not to live loosely thinking we are covered by grace so we can do anything the old flesh desires.

2Co 6:8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

Living for God will cause honor but also it causes us to be dishonored by those who reject our message.

2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

Actually those that are "in Christ" are dead to sin but are alive and more alive than those who think they are living.

2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

We are rich in the spiritual things. This is not teaching worldly prosperity. We have everything in Christ that we need.

2Co 6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
2Co 6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
2Co 6:13 Now for a recompense in the same, I (speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

This does not mean that we are not to go around unbelievers and preach the gospel. We also have to go to school with, work with and be around unbelievers. We are not to join with them in any worldly evil they might do. We are not to join with them in a marriage relationship that would cause conflict. If we are already in that type of marriage we are not to seek to be free from the marriage but to make the best of it as it is pleasing to the Lord.

Jesus sent his disciples out two by two to heal the sick, preach the gospel and do the words of Christ. He didn't send one into an idol's temple and expect them to preach the gospel.

2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

We never hear a holiness message much any longer. We are to live holy and be separate. We are not to partake of the evil of others. This doesn't mean that we shut up the gospel and never preach to sinners. We are not to live in a commune and shut out any unbelievers. We have to live among sinners but we don't have to partake of their evil or sit around laughing at their dirty jokes, drinking with them or partaking of anything they do that goes against our conscience. We can't act like sinners and then expect to win them to Christ.  They expect us to be different.  They knew they need a way out of the mess of sin and do not need someone who is in the mess themselves.  By this I don't mean that we are to have a "holier than thou" attitude but we are to be a godly example.  If we are no different than a sinner and then try to preach the gospel, they will cast it back in our face. 

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

By doing this and being separate, God claims to be our Father and we are His sons and daughters.  We can know and God will show us how to live holy. This is another reason why the Holy Spirit is given to us so that we can discern and understand what it means to be separate but yet love and present the gospel.

11 Corinthians 7