2 Corinthians 6:11-7:2 What are your affections? Greg Morscher Xenos Christian Fellowship July 1 st, 2006

One reason for the letter… RECONCILIATION  Paul and Corinthians  Basis for reconciliation starts with Christ 2 Cor. 5:21 - For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  Then, Jesus helps to reconcile people… 2 Cor. 6:11-13 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. 2 Cor. 6:14a Do not be bound together with unbelievers

What is Paul forbidding? Isolation from those who don’t know Christ?  NO  2 Cor. 6:14B, 17 …for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? … "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean… 2 Cor 5 = ambassadors, ministry of reconciliation to world… Christians have long history of unhealthy separation: monks, Christian sub-culture (ghetto)…

So, what is the issue? 2 Cor. 6:14-16a - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God…

Potential areas of compromise: FORBIDDEN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES Meat 1 Cor. 10: Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake; for the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains. 1 Cor. 10: No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. [21] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Potential areas of compromise: FORBIDDEN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS OT = against intermarriage w/other cultures  idolatry NT = marry one who knows and is committed to the Lord 1 Cor. 7: … if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband... 1 Cor. 7:39 … but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

Potential areas of compromise: FORBIDDEN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS Matt 13:22 - And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Potential areas of compromise: FORBIDDEN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Potential areas of compromise: FORBIDDEN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Paul’s remedy: Remember who you are: For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. - 2 Cor. 6:16b End the compromise: "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; - 2 Cor. 6:17a Restore healthy relationship: And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. - 2 Cor. 6:17b-18