2 Corinthians 6:1

2 Corinthians 6:1 says, We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.  Paul said that all believers were workers together in Christ.  We are called by grace to the free gift of salvation, but we then are called to be laborers for Christ.  I believe that the only way to receive the grace of God in vain is to not truly accept the gospel.  A person might claim to believe for their own benefit, but Paul said that those who really believe will be at work for Christ, reaching out to others with the gospel. Verse two adds, 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.)  Paul said that God heard those who had cried out to Him for salvation, and when the time was right, He sent Christ to redeem mankind.  Since the death of Christ, every day is the day of salvation for the lost, if they only accept Christ as their Savior and Lord.  We do not have to wait until we think everything is right, because Christ made all things right between God and us.  Now is the day.  Verse three continues, Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:  Paul said that he would live in such a way as to give no offense to others, that his ministry might not be blamed.  Do we live the same way, or do we allow our own self will to get in the way of our witnessing?  Verse four states, But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,  Verse five adds, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;  Paul listed many bad things that were happening to them but said that they lived in patience to approve themselves as ministers of God.  We often hear people today say that God wants us happy, but He really wants us to approve ourselves in the gospel, no matter what.  Verse six continues, By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,  Then verse seven adds, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  Paul stated how they were able to live for Christ.  They did it by all the things that are good about belonging to God, pureness, knowledge of God, longsuffering, kindness, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and by love that did not fail.  Paul continued adding that they relied on the word of truth, the power of God, and by being surrounded by the armor of righteousness.  In the next three verses Paul states how much differently they were viewed by people.  Verse eight says, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;  Verse nine adds, As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; Then verse ten concludes, As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Paul declared that no matter what happened to them in this world, nor how they were viewed, that they would do everything to approve themselves as ministers of God.  So must we today.