“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you
not to receive the grace of God in vain”
– 2 Corinthians 6:1 –
In 2 Corinthians 6, the apostle Paul, like a loving father, makes a call to faithfulness and appeals to the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain. That is why he asks them to be upright and patient, bearing the afflictions which will come because of the gospel (vv. 4-10).
The apostle also makes a special call: do not get married with unbelievers, because there is an enormous risk when uniting marriage, doing business, or establishing some type of relationship with those who do not live according to the principles established by Christ.
Paul is not prejudiced, but knows that within a relationship we influence and are also influenced. That is why it is wise to choose our companions, because they can determine the course of our lives.
Faithfulness is the determination and resolve of afflictions and thoughts. True faithfulness is a response to God’s faithfulness, evident in an unbreakable commitment (v. 18).
History tells us about forty martyrs in Sebaste, Armenia. They were a group of Roman soldiers from the Twelfth Legion who were martyred in the year AD 320, victims of the persecution of Licinius, a great enemy of Christianity. Those forty soldiers had openly admitted theit Christian faith and were condemned to spend the night naked on a frozen lake. Suddenly, one gave up. He left the lake and his companions, and went in search of the hot baths prepared for those who renounced their faith.
One of the guards who was watching the group, impressed by the faithfulness and peace of those Christian heroes, accepted Christ, left his post, and joined the group of prisoners. At dawn, the bodies of the soldiers who still showed signs of life were burned and their ashes thrown into a river.
Throughout history there have always been faithful children of God, willing to do anything for the cause of the gospel.
“When through satan’s malice the servants of Christ have been persecuted, their active labors hindered, when they have been cast into prison, or dragged to the scaffold or to the stake, it was that truth might gain a greater triumph. As these faithful ones sealed their testimony with their blood, souls hitherto in doubt and uncertainty were convinced of the faith of Christ and took their stand courageously for Him. From the ashes of the martyrs has sprung and abundant harvest for God” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 465).
How willing are we to die for Christ?
Or to live for Him?
God bless you…