2 Corinthians 6. After pleading with the Corinthians in chapter 5 to be reconciled to God, the Apostle Paul wraps up his call to them with this statement: Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (6:2). Today is the day to lean into a relationship with God and be reconciled! There’s no reason for delay!

He proclaims, we put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault will be found with our ministry (6:3). I hope that all Christian ministries can say that – we have not created any obstacles to people starting a relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s our responsibility to make it easy for everyone to encounter God.

Paul goes on to say, we have spoken freely to you and our heart is wide open (6:11). In reading these letters to the church at Corinth, we see how much Paul loved them; how he poured out his life and so much energy into helping them, into shaping their theology and life practices, and how he lived a transparent life among them.

It’s remarkable how much Paul endured as a minister of the gospel. He highlights a few things in this chapter – as a testimony of his sincerity. He says we (their ministry team) have:

Had great endurance in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; (that’s quite a lot!!)

Demonstrated purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,truthful speech, and the power of God with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 

Endured through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise; and

Been treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything (6:4-10).

If someone said to me – “Hey, wouldn’t you like to be a minister of the gospel? This is what that life looks like.” I would probably have said, “No, thank you.” The truth is most ambassadors of the kingdom of God do not suffer in the way Paul did for the gospel (at least not in our country). Yet Paul was dead serious about enduring everything, absolutely everything, because nothing was more important than the gospel message.

What stands out to you from that list? For me, it’s through slander and praise. Church leaders tend to get a bunch of that. I also like the irony of the final line, as poor yet making many rich and as having nothing yet possessing everything (meaning that all who labor for the kingdom of God are rich from an eternal perspective).

We have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation, calling others to come to God. Today is the day of salvation. Do not let any obstacles stand in your way!