2 Corinthians 6

 2 Corinthians 6

       There is a feel of a general preparing his soldiers for battle in this reading – a battle that gives life in the end, instead of death. But make no mistake it’s going to be a fight.

        This is our time. Today is the day. Salvation is at hand! Don’t trip and don’t trip anyone else – stay in formation. There are hard days ahead – endure them! The power of Christ’s death and resurrection are in you! Afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless night, hunger will come your way – overcome them by the working of the Holy Spirit in you! He has filled you with faith, hope and love, and you have been chosen for this moment!

        We have the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left. We are doubly armed with God’s Word and Prayer. Our lives are a witness in the battle for the hearts and minds of men in this world.

        We live in a constant conflict, and continuing paradox. We will be treated as imposters and hypocrites by the world, but we are true in Christ. We are nobodies as far as the powerful are concerned, but we are known and beloved to the King of Heaven! From the outside the church seems to be dying, but Jesus’ promises it will stand forever. We grieve for sin and for the sorrows of the world – but we also rejoice in what God is doing. Even if we seem poor, pitiful, and pathetic to the world, the truth is every blessing of God is ours and we are rich in Him!

        Today is the day because God walks among us. His Holy Spirit is at work in us. Salvation is at hand because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Believing in Jesus puts a rift between us and the world. It can be hard to bear sometimes. But in Jesus we fix our eyes forward, set them on Him, and press on to bring the message of reconciliation to a world that is striving to be separate from God.

        We have become, in many ways, God’s presence to this world. We are his bearers of hope and live to a world lost in sorrow and death. Our lives declare, “The kingdom of God is at hand.”  So, don’t be discouraged. God is with you, and He will not forsake you.

Lord, this world feels overwhelming. Help me to see Your salvation at work in my life through the Word and Sacraments so I will not be discourage, but will be a bold witness of Your Salvation. Amen.