As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our heart to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.
LORD God Almighty, thank You for Your grace and favor leading to salvation in You. Help me to put no stumbling block in anyone’s path but rather I commend myself in every way as a servant to You. Strengthen me to walk in Your purity, understanding, patience and kindness in the Holy Spirit in sincere love, truthful speech and in Your power with weapons of righteousness in my hands. May I sing Your praises at all times rejoicing in You with my heart opened wide to Your leading. Thank You Jesus, my salvation and righteousness. Amen