II Corinthians 6:1-10
Purpose: To show the proofs of a faithful follower of Christ.
Aim: I want the listener to be slow to criticize in order to protect the Gospel.
INTRODUCTION: Paul was no stranger to criticism. One of the reasons Paul wrote first and second Corinthians was to answer his Christian critics. Including today's text, Paul saw the need to use the word COMMEND nine times in this letter alone.
Paul was forced to commend (literally, "recommend, or stand with") himself to these Christians. Why? Because other teachers had come into Corinth claiming to have the right human credentials from Jerusalem and they were criticizing Paul because he didn't have them. "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?" (2 Corinthians 3:1 NAU).
Paul asked them to look at his lifestyle rather than his papers: "but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:2 NAU).
The problem is that Paul's critics were more concerned about Paul's appearance than his heart. "We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart" (2 Corinthians 5:12 NAU).
Critics tend to evaluate other people by their own standards rather than evaluating themselves by God's standard. "For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding" (2 Corinthians 10:12 NAU). It is always easier to examine the faults of others than it is to examine our own faults. As Paul reminds us: "For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends" (2 Corinthians 10:18 NAU).
The last time Paul used the word COMMEND in 2 Corinthians he turned it around on the Corinthians: "I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles" (2 Corinthians 12:11--12 NAU).
So, what were some of the things that Paul was criticized for? They said Paul (although the reference may be specifically about his co-worker Barnabas) did not have the right to be married (1 Corinthians 9:1-5). They insinuated that he was a bad leader by saying that he was only bold from a distance (2 Corinthians 10:1-2). They said that he wasn't good looking and that he was a terrible pubic speaker, they went so far as to say his speech was contemptible (2 Corinthians 10:10). They said that his ministry was not as important as theirs because he did secular work on the side (1 Corinthians 9:6 & 11:7-9). They said that he did a poor job of explaining the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). They said that the Corinthian church was inferior to the churches around them because of Paul's leadership (2 Corinthians 12:13). If that was not bad enough, they said that he was not even qualified to be an Apostle (2 Corinthians 11:5).
Now we can see why Paul was concerned that they needed to be "working together." The Book of Acts says six times that the Christians were "with one accord." Criticism destroys harmony.
Not only is criticism in the larger context of this book, it is also alluded to in three verses following this text where Paul begs them to open their hearts to him. [See verse 13]
It is a terrible thing to have a critical spirit. The problem is that being critical is only what other people do. When we are being critical we often call it being discerning, or perceptive, or astute, or sensitive. This is a sin that almost all of us struggle with to one degree or another. After all, criticizing is the easiest job in the world and we always feel empowered when we do it.
Vs.1-3 I. How to Avoid being Critical
Paul begins by giving us three principles that will guard us from a critical spirit.
Vs.1 A. Determine to live out the Gospel "not receive the grace of God in vain"
The phrase "not receive the grace of God in vain" means that you can have an empty faith in Christ--which of course means you don't have real faith at all. James put it this way: "... show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works...Can that faith save him?" (James 2:18, 14 NAU). Real faith produces real works.
The point that Paul is making is that we need to be working together for Christ. If we are unwilling to work in harmony with other believers then maybe our faith is not real. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NAU).
Real followers of Christ want to glorify Christ.
Vs.2 B. Be urgent about sharing the Gospel "now is 'the acceptable time'"
Here Paul quotes from Isaiah 49:8. I think that it is best to assume that Paul is quoting this verse in its context. So let's look at it briefly so we can see what God was saying in that chapter.
In Isaiah 49:1-4 the Messiah (Jesus Christ) talks about His connection with God the Father, but then in verse 4 He talks about His apparent failure. Jesus minister for about 3 ½ years and yet everyone forsook Him when He was arrested and crucified.
Then in verses 5-7 God promises that the Messiah will be the conquering King of the world. In verses 8-13 [reads verses 8-9 & 13] God promises a day when His grace will be freely offered. Part of what is pictured here is Christ's ultimate triumph over the earth, but in today's text Paul is saying that there is a fulfillment of this right now.
In other words, now is the time that the grace of Christ is being offered to Jew and Gentile alike. We don't have time to sit around and argue and criticize each other.
You have received the grace of God in vain if you aren't working to, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NAU).
God's grace is available now, but at any time that opportunity could be over. "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4 NAU).
Vs.3 C. Reject anything that will harm the Gospel "no cause for offence"
We can't help it that most people will be offended by the Gospel. The Gospel is offensive because it exposes the sinfulness of others and their need to be utterly dependent on Christ for forgiveness.
We must be careful, though, that we don't give any further CAUSE for offence. "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved " (1 Corinthians 10:32--33 NAU).
"so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:10 NAU).
Being critical, especially of those who are spreading the Gospel, can harm the message they are proclaiming. Private criticism can also be harmful if it doesn't done lovingly.
For example, Paul warned the Christians in Corinth to be careful how they treated Timothy so that he wouldn't be discouraged. "Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am" (1 Corinthians 16:10 NAU).
We must love the Gospel more than we love proving our point.
If we love Christ we will be willing to do whatever it takes to honor Him. Paul said he was willing to "discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27 NAU).
Vs.4-10 II. How to Endure being Criticized
As much as we would like to think that Christians (including those who only claim to be Christians) should not be critical, it still happens. Paul now gives us three principles that will inoculate us against the barbs of criticism.
Vs.4-5 A. Expect hard circumstances "servants...in much endurance"
I believe that it is best to keep the phrase "but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God in much endurance..." (2 Corinthians 6:4 NAU) as the heading for what follows in these two verses. The only thing about ourselves that we should exalt is our call to be servants.
Paul knew a lot about hard circumstances. "Are they servants of Christ?--I speak as if insane--I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?" (2 Corinthians 11:23--29 NAU).
When Paul felt like he had to prove that his critics were wrong he didn't point to his seminary degree, his superior intellect, the number of churches he had planted, or the how many people were attending them. Paul pointed to how much he had suffered for Christ. How much proof of our calling in Christ can we point to?
Paul is saying that we must be willing to endure nine things:
#1 AFFLICTIONS
#2 HARDSHIPS
#3 DISTRESSES
#4 BEATINGS
#5 IMPRISONMENTS
#6 TUMULTS
#7 LABORS
#8 SLEEPLESSNESS
#9 HUNGER
We have suffered so little compared to many other believers that we should not be discouraged when all we suffer is someone being unreasonable or critical.
Vs.6-7 B. Develop good character "genuine love"
Paul now gives us nine more things to consider.
Our focus must be on our faults and not on the faults of others. In fact, we can't really see the faults of others clearly until we are diligently working on these nine things. Jesus Himself warned us, ""Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:1--5 NAU).
Keeping ourselves close to Christ is a full time job. It leaves us little time to criticize others or to worry a lot about those who have criticized us.
Vs.8-10 C. Accept being misunderstood "regarded as deceivers"
Paul now lays out nine paradoxes about the Christian life. We must be very careful that we look at life the way God does, and not the way worldly people look at life.
On the negative side we need to accept the fact that the world will portray us:
#1 as DISHONORALBE
#2 in a bad light (EVIL REPORT)
#3 liars (DECEIVERS) even Jesus experienced this: "There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, 'He is a good man'; others were saying, 'No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray'" (John 7:12 NAU).
#4 unimportant (UNKNOWN)
#5 weak (DYING)
#6 PUNISHED by God
#7 SORROWFUL literally means those who cause sorrow or grief. "...These men who have upset the world have come here also" (Acts 17:6 NAU).
#8 insignificant (POOR) literally means "worthless"
#9 underprivileged (HAVING NOTHING)
On the positive side we must never lose sight of the fact that:
#1We have GLORY from God "...the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory" (1 Corinthians 2:7 NAU).
#2 We have a GOOD REPORT from God. "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master'" (Matthew 25:21 NAU).
#3 We speak God's truth (TRUE)
#4 We are WELL KNOWN by God
#5 We have life from God (LIVE)
#6 We are NOT PUT TO DEATH yet, anyway
#7 We have a constant source of joy (ALWAYS REJOICING)
#8 We are making others rich in faith (MAKING MANY RICH)
#9 We possess everything that is really valuable (POSSESSING ALL THINGS)
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us ..." (Ephesians 1:7--8a NAU).
CONCLUSION: "Robert A. Cook, former president of King's College in New York, told a true story from the early years of his ministry. He had been receiving some rather pointed criticism, and he sought the counsel of a friend, Pastor Harry A. Ironside.
"Pouring out his heart, Dr. Cook asked what he should do about the accusations being made against him. Ironside responded, 'Bob, if the criticism about you is true, mend your ways! If it isn't, forget about it!'" [1]
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. - Elbert Hubbard. [2]
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt[3]
If you see yourself as the astute evaluator of the actions of others, then ask God to forgive the pride in your heart. We should be only "...commending ourselves as servants of God..." (2 Corinthians 6:4 NAU).
[1]Our Daily Bread, July 16, 1997 Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.
[2]Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press
[3]Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press
