July 21, 2022 -- II Corinthians 6:1-10 -- The weapons of righteousness

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 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. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
II Corinthians 6:1-10 ESV

Notice the weapons of the Christian who works for God, declaring His salvation to anyone he meets and in whatever circumstance he encounters the one to be evangelized: righteousness. Both the right hand and the left hand are to employ the weapons of righteousness. Righteousness in the life of the Christian is the hour by hour, day by day work of making God’s way his way in every circumstance and at every opportunity. When others slander you, utilizing truthful speech is the weapon of righteousness. When others falsely praise you, flattering in order to make gains for themselves, genuine love is the response of righteousness. Making God’s way one’s own way means to be prepared for a long struggle, so one must have, as verse 4 puts its, great endurance. It is a battle. It is the life-long battle of the Christian to declare the Name of the King of Kings and LORD of lords to a world that hates Him and defies Him.

In the eyes of the world believers have nothing—no position, no power, no wealth, no honour. But as those wielding the weapons of righteousness Christians have everything—life that is secure by the Spirit right now and such life will become eternal life in the New Heavens and the New Earth and this because of the blood of Jesus Christ! There is no greater possession. This is what emboldens Christians to speak. And it is the righteousness of God which covers believers. God’s righteousness is a protection for believers, His goodness poured out in Christ and every divine gift ensured by the Spirit’s presence in the believer. God’s righteousness means judgment and hell for those who oppose God and His people. That is why today is a favorable time. Those who had long fought against Christians, those who were once wicked, are now given an opportunity to lay down their arms and forego their opposition and take up righteousness, in the right hand and their left hand. They would do so because of the persistent testimony of Christians who will not give ground, no matter the hardships, because these Christians had within them the power of God. The day of Jesus' return is very near. When He returns, the Day of Salvation will be gone and every enemy of the King of Glory will be thrown down. Fellow Christians, press on, declare Jesus' goodness. Appeal to the people in your life  so that they will receive the grace of God given in Christ Jesus and this by the power of the Spirit. 

MIGHTY GOD,
I humble myself for faculties misused, opportunities neglected,
words ill-advised,
I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways,
my broken resolutions, untrue service,
my backsliding steps, my vain thoughts.
O bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus’ blood,
and let no evil result from my fretful temper,
unseemly behavior, provoking pettiness,I
f by unkindness I have wounded or hurt another,
do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation;
If I have turned coldly from need, misery, grief,
do not in just anger forsake me:
If I have withheld relief from penury and pain,
do not withhold thy gracious bounty from me.
If I have shunned those who have offended me,
keep open the door of thy heart to my need.
Fill me with an overflowing ocean of compassion,
the reign of love my motive,
the law of love my rule.
O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful,
more humble, inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness
arising from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties,
my unimproved advantages, Thy commands violated by me.
With all my calls to gratitude and joy may I remember
that I have reason to sorrow and humiliation;
O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord,
that faith may adhere to Him more immovably,
that love may entwine itself around Him more tightly,
that His spirit may pervade every fibre of my being.
Then send me out to make Him known to my fellow men.
"Humility in Service" Valley of Vision: Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF
TRUTH TRUST, 2020, page 326

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