Self Reflections

Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 6:2-18

2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
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;
2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
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,
2Co 6:8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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?
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. 2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

This is a very powerful reading that I must take the time to compare my life to and the things I participate in from day to day. God’s offer of salvation is to all and I must be careful that I receive not this offer in vain, deceiving my own self. I have to be careful not to give offense in anything that I do that the ministry or the church be not blamed. From the worlds standpoint all that Christians do and say reflects back on the body of Christ from which I am a part. I must examine myself to make sure that I am not like the world. Have I made a commitment to purity both in mind and actions? Being a Christian requires sacrifices. Have I really come out from among them (the world)? Am I really separate? Or do I engage in the same things, dress the same way, and use the same manner of speech? Is there really any real distinction in what I do and what the average decent person does. Is it enough that I am not like the drug addicts, drunkards, family abusers and such, but beyond that, there is not any real difference? Do I have a real commitment to purity? Everything I engage in should be able to past the test of Phillippians 4:8. I should be able to say yes to each of these points listed in the verse in everything I do, from the way I dress, act, and the things I participate in. Is it true? Is it honest? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of a good report? Is there any virtue? Is there any praise? If I can’t say yes, then I had better rethink my actions. I have to be careful of the danger of trying to justify my action that I know deep down is wrong by comparing it to other things many engage in that are wrong also. If those things are wrong, then they need to be examined as well, but my comparison has to be with God’s word. Is this too hard for me to do? Do I have the dedication to the Lord to be separate and come out from among them or do I just blend in? I am striving to examine my life each and everyday and grow stronger in the faith. I know I cannot be perfect, but I do have to give all I have to being Christ like, following in the steps of Jesus. I want to be able to know as Paul did that if one was to follow what I do, they would get to heaven. I can’t really say that with confidence at this point, but I am prayerfully pressing toward that goal with all that I have in me.

Donna Ribardi