(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”   So often we move through the motions of service to the Lord without every seeking His help or His guidance. I am not referring to a token prayer in its midst. I am speaking of genuine utterance of the heart from knowing “the power of God” is the only means of true spiritual success.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”  Each of these listed in verse 7 are means by which we achieve success in giving no offense, in proving ourselves as God’s ministers (including for those not in “called” service).“By” implies one is standing by faith in God’s Word – truth: “Thy Word is truth” (Jn 17:17).

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(6)  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,”  There’s a great book first published in 1896 entitled, “In His Steps”. Written by Charles Monroe Sheldon, one person influenced many others to direct their lives by the question, “What would Jesus do?” That, is trying to live as Jesus would live, being a true Christian; thus by pureness, by longsuffering, by kindness, and by the Holy Ghost.

 (2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(5) In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” Notice verse 5 contains from persecution, to physical work, to safety concerns, to self denial. Yet, no matter the situation only one overseeing goal is before us – the reputation of Christ. Lord, help us to so live!

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”  “Approving”: to introduce; to exhibit.  A right reaction to others no matter the offense or trial, brings glory to the Lord. We react wrongly when our mind and heart is upon self, not the things of God.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:”  The gospel can be truthfully and completely given, even speaking of the fact of sin without being offensive to the hearer. It should be given lovingly as well as firmly and confidently. What emboldened me was the realization that I (It) was right and resistance to it was based upon wrong thinking.

DAILY DROP OF WATER  (2Co 6:2) “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” This declares that today, not tomorrow is the time to be saved.  Might one be saved tomorrow? Possibly. According to  the truth before us, it is not our place to say they can be. I know this, there can be a hearing of the gospel of which one does not have a full understanding, revelation, opening of eyes to the  reality: “It was my sins that Jesus was paying for. I am responsible.”  I had heard it before I “heard” it. When I did, I responded.

2Co 6:2) “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”  I have both heard and said it myself; something that is not true: “You can get saved at any time, even if you do not today.” Nowhere in Scripture does it say that. In fact, it is just the opposite. We are to respond while the Lord is calling. Why? To understand the High Price paid, the sufferings and death of God’s very Son and feel it not worthy enough to respond in repentance – is the height of wickedness.

(2Co 6:1) “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”  Context testifies “receive” is not speaking as embracing it, but as it being given forth as knowledge. It is not enough to hear of God’s grace and understand it; it must be embraced, taken in through a repentant heart of faith. Have you done this?

(2Co 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  Notice it is not that we were righteous, but through the taking of our place, the righteousness of Christ Jesus “made” those who have embraced Him as Savoir – righteous! (Rom_5:8) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”