"Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread." Sounds easy enough, but a life that tells a different story than the one coming out of our mouths is not convincing. A pastor walks into the cell of man on death row and shares the Gospel with him then asks if he believes. The man said no. The pastor wondered why would someone about to die not want to be forgiven and spend eternity with a loving God. He then asked the man why he didn't believe. To his surprise, the man replied, because you don't. He went on to say if I believed what you say you believe I would walk on my knees across a sea of glass to tell others this news. Hearing this story more than 20 years ago really impacted my life and made caused me to rethink the things I do and don't do and how it impacted those around me. I believe this is at the heart of what Paul is saying to the church in our passage today. Let's read... 2Corinthians 6: 1-4a New Living Translation 6 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. 3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. Yesterday we read that we who have exchanged our sin for Christ's righteousness are His ambassadors of reconciliation and that God was making His appeal to others through us. That's a heavy responsibility! Paul goes on to say, today, if we have received the gift of God's kindness, literally grace, that we should not ignore it. Then he goes on to quote the prophet, Isaiah. The people of God receive God's kindness or grace back then when He saved from their bondage in Babylon, and in our case, God's grace saves us from the bondage of our sin, and we live out that truth every day.
To live because we're free is essential not only for our well being but also for the impact our lives can have on the people around us. I used to joke with my girls when they were in high school. I'd ask them- when other students or teachers found out you are a Christian did they say- Not in a million years would I have guessed that! Each of our lives tells a story, and the fact that Jesus died in our place should cause us to be different from others. The difference is not outward like clothing or haircut choice but an inward change that can't help but ooze into every part of our lives. No one is saying we are perfect in any way, but our trajectory or the direction we're going should be different than those outside the faith. As a recipient of God's grace and ambassador or Christ, Paul made it his goal to live in such a way that adorned the Good news and ministry entrusted to him. Our goal should be the same. Ask Yourself:
If we are living out what we say we believe it would cause others to ask why and what is different about us, what drives us. We can then tell them where we found bread, and by God's grace, they too will know His forgiveness. This is my prayer for each of us as leaders and students. The next few days, we will read what made Paul's life stand out and make others take notice. Until then, have a great day, Loved Ones, and God bless you real good!
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