Paul’s great burden for the
believers in Corinth comes through in 2 Corinthians. His first epistle to them confronts
the many problems plaguing this church. But also note Paul’s spirit in writing
them: “For I wrote to you out of much
affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but
to let you know the abundant love that I have for you” (2 Corinthians 2:4).
The problems at issue conflicted with the fact that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself” (2 Corinthians
5:19).
Thus, Paul pleads with them: “We appeal to you not to receive the grace
of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). In what way were these saints
thwarting the grace of God? Their problem, as with all yet unglorified saints, was
that they were “restricted” in our
own “affections” (2 Corinthians
6:12), that is, constrained by their own passions. The implication is that
their ability to show mercy and compassion was restricted due to worldly influence
around them, evidenced in their reaction to life situations.
They were being sorely self-limited.
Accordingly, Paul pleads for the believers to separate from unbelieving,
lawless, benighted, and worthless (belial)
people (vv. 14,15). “What agreement has
the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God” (v.
16). Here is an amazing truth. A temple is a holy place where a holy God dwells
with His holy people (1 Peter
1:14–19). In verses 16 through 18, Paul cites OT Scriptures as proof (Leviticus
26:12; Isaiah 52:11). Verse 18 (“I will
be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me”) summarizes
a number of OT references (Exodus 4:22; 2 Samuel 7:8, 14; Isaiah 43:6; Jeremiah
31:9; Hosea 1:10).
Meditate on these verses. A
thrice-holy God saves sinners in order to welcome them, be a father to them, dwell
among them, and walk with them. Is this not a truly amazing thing? To
facilitate this privilege, He has made the church His living temple (1
Corinthians 3:16, 17; Ephesian 2:21; 1 Peter 2:5, 9, 10). Nevertheless, this
truth requires certain preparation from His people. We must become a holy (separated) people in practice: “Since we have these promises, beloved, let
us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing
holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Only this
discipline frees the heart from its self-cramping limitations, opening it to
freely receive God grace.
It is interesting that the very next
thing Paul commands the Corinthians is that they “make room in [their] hearts”
for him (7:2). Paul was God’s agent to bring them to true freedom, which placed
him in a difficult position due to their natural, unsanctified instincts. The
road to holiness is difficult, but the freedom it brings is worth the fight.
Glory and joy are found in the realization that God, as our God, welcomes us.
Oh, let us release all the worthless, worldly baggage that constricts our
spiritual life, and let us learn to walk with God in obedience and holiness.
