2 Corinthians 6 -- Contact Without Contamination

Paul had a warning about separation from unbelievers in this chapter.  It’s almost a two-edged sword.  We as Christians are to be “in the world, but not of the world.”  Paul’s way of putting it was, “Do not join yourselves to them.”  My commentary said, “Like a skillful physician, we must practice contact without contamination.  Otherwise, we will isolate ourselves from the people who need our ministry the most.”

 

We’re to be out in the world, being the hands and feet of Christ to a lost world, but we’ve shaken off the world and surely don’t want to take back upon ourselves what we worked so hard to rid from our lives.

 

And about that risk of recontamination, my commentary noted:  “Too often Christians deal with symptoms and not causes.  We keep confessing the same sins because we have not gotten to the root of the trouble and cleansed ourselves.  Perhaps there is filthiness of the flesh, some pet sin that feeds the old nature.  Or it may be filthiness of the spirit, an attitude that is sinful … But cleansing ourselves is only half of the responsibility; we must also be perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  This is a constant process as we grow in grace and knowledge … But it is foolish to try to perfect holiness if there is known sin in our lives.”

 

Father, I want to be where I’m needed – where You can use me to bring others to You.  But also I do not want to take up the sin that I used to struggle with so much.  So please guard my mind and my heart as I minister in the world.  Also help me to always be mindful that I deal with causes of sin in my life, not just symptoms, as I continue to work toward holiness.  Help me to do nothing that misrepresents You in this world.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford