Being a worker with Him- Part 1

By: Scott Morton

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. [2] (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.) [3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: [4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; [6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; [9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

As the Apostle Paul speaks to this assembly in Corinth, he starts to identify what they need to do to live the life God intends for them. He has already given them the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), identified the baptism which places them in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), spoken of them related to the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), and identified the new body they will receive as part of the hope (1 Corinthians 15:38-50). Since they had been given information to let them know who they were, he gives them information to on how they should live.

There are many things which we see where Paul speaks about the issues of working together with God

1 Corinthians 3:4-9

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Here we see Paul speaking to the same individuals and pointing out how different individuals ministered unto them. It is not the individual who gets the credit or the glory for what is being accomplished. This all goes back to God, as He is the one who is giving the increase and we are laborers with Him in the process. This is a labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3) and comes about when we are allowing the Lord Jesus Christ to work through us (Galatians 2:20). We do this by allowing the Word to work in us and produce a change in our lives:

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Here we have the Apostle Paul speaking about the thought process we are to have as a believer. This thought process is what drives the behavior we have, as the thoughts we have are to be influenced by the doctrine which we take in. This is why we see the issue of being transformed by the renewing of the mind. We should not be conformed to the thinking of this world, as the things of this world are controlled by the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), who is Satan. The things of this world are opposed to the things of God.

We have the transformation process happen as we study the Word of God rightly divided (2 Timothy 2:15), as we are instructed. The doctrine comes in and we have this start to be built up in us. As the doctrine builds up, this is where we can see the influence of the Word, which allows for the grace to not be received in vain. We see an example of how this is supposed to work in the following passage:

Titus 2:11-13

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Paul shows here how the grace of God is accessible by all of mankind. Everyone who is alive today has the ability to have the grace of God work in them. All they have to do is believe the gospel given to us today (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), which then gives them access to this grace. This is something which could not have been said in previous dispensations, as salvation was to the Jews in time past.

Once someone has access to the grace, we see how the grace of God works. It teaches an individual how to live their life. We are taught there are certain things which we are not to be doing (the things which are part of this world) and there are things which we should be doing (following the sound doctrine which has been given to us in Romans through Philemon). This is how God intends for us to live our lives and we can see there is a purpose for us:

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are very quick to quote verses 8 and 9, as we talk about how we are saved by grace and it has nothing to do with the works we perform. We tend to not bring up verse 10, which speaks about how we were created to do good works. God does want us to do the right thing, as this is what helps lead other individuals to salvation. They can see what we are doing and want to be part of it. This is what helps us accomplish the responsibility Paul saw for himself and which passes down to us:

Ephesians 3:8-12

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: [12] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The Apostle Paul states it was his responsibility to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery. The mystery is the description of the information which was committed to him and is for us today. He wanted to make sure that everyone would be able to see the things of this message and have the salvation which has been offered to man. This is what being a worker is all about, as we are to be sharing this message, which includes allowing it to have an impact on our own life.

Many will get confused and try to put themselves and other under the law. This is easy to do, as most denominations will teach some form of a works based system, as this is seen in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as in the Old Testament. Israel was put under a works based system and failed repeatedly in being able to follow this. We cannot carry over their doctrine, especially when the Apostle Paul explains repeatedly how we are not under the law and we are not working for our salvation. He does explain as he is writing to Timothy how the law should be viewed:

1 Timothy 1:3-10

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, [4] Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. [5] Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: [6] From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; [7] Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. [8] But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; [9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, [10] For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Here we have Paul speaking about the law and saying how individuals desire to be teachers of it. This is because it is an easy way to "control" the life of the individuals being ministered to, as they can say do this and don't do this, with a punishment that would come. The feeling is this is an easy way to have control over individuals. By teaching this, they can give a simple list of dos and don'ts and create fear of something happening to them, such as losing their salvation or some tragedy happening because of their performance.

This is not true in the dispensation of grace. We are not being punished for our failures and are not being measured on the performance in our lives after our salvation in a manner where it can impact the salvation we have. The only thing the law actually did in the dispensation of grace is show individuals why they could not have earned salvation based on their performance. We cannot do enough good things to earn our way into heaven.

The result of these teachings is the impact it can have on the faith of an individual:

1 Timothy 1:18-20

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; [19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: [20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Paul describes just a few verses later how what is taught can actually shipwreck the faith of an individual. This would mean they would be ineffective in their lives because they have been pulled away from the truth. In the case of what we had just looked at, a performance-based system can cause someone to think they are not doing good enough and why should they even attempt to keep going according to the doctrine which has been given to us. It would pull them away from the truth, causing them to not want to keep going and ministering to other individuals in the way God would intend for us to do.

The Apostle Paul points out how false teaching has an impact on believers in many different manners:

1 Timothy 4:1-5

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Here we see the issue of the false teaching coming from are called seducing spirits and it described as being doctrines of devils. This is the opposition to God which is going to come as this dispensation continues and will intensify as we get closer to the end of the dispensation. We can see how this happens, as individuals today which once stood for the truth of the Word of God rightly divided have moved away from the sound doctrine. They have started to teach the things which fall into these categories. This would be the vanity of grace at this point. Paul can call it this because the grace of God has no effect on the individuals who are hearing and believing the doctrine which does not line up with the things given to him.

As the Apostle Paul continues on this same chapter, we see how he says something which seems to be weird from the eyes of today:

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Paul is not speaking here about doing physical exercise in any manner. There is a benefit to exercise, as it keep the body healthy, preventing some diseases, and keeps the energy levels up for individuals to function. We should want our bodies to function properly, as it means we will have the ability to continue to live the lives God has intended and that we would be teaching this message to others.

What Paul does mean is speaking about trying to put yourself under a performance-based system related to how we are to live. This is not the way we are to live, as the grace of God is the motivation of how to live. This is why we repeatedly have to see warnings about not trying to put ourselves under it.

It is interesting how Paul says it profits little, meaning there appeared to be some profit as Paul was writing this. The profit is those who are outside of the Body of Christ use performance as a measure. If they see an individual doing the things which they feel are right, then they might want to at least listen to what is being said. The danger comes in that it creates confusion when someone see a performance-based system being followed and then the salvation which is being preached apart from this is given to them, they would not know what to think and any potential benefit to being under this system has now been lost.

1 Timothy 6:3-5

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

The Apostle Paul is saying here the members of the Body of Christ need to withdraw themselves from those who are teaching contrary to the doctrine. This can be a difficult thing, as we have disagreements with individuals many times over how to interpret a passage. If we separated every time we had one of these disagreements, we would be by ourselves eventually. We know this is not what the Apostle Paul intended for us, as he tells us we are part of the Body and need to treat all members as such.

1 Timothy 6:9-10

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Here we have a passage which many people misquote. The usual statement about this is money is the root of all evil. This is said and the result is to blame money for all of the problems which are going on in their lives and the world. This is not what the Apostle Paul says. He states it is the love of money which is the root of all evil. It is the desire which can build up in the individual to where they love money so much they are willing to do things which hurt other individuals, which leads to other problems. Money itself is not the problem.

2 Timothy 1:8

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

The Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy in the last epistle he wrote. Knowing he was going to die, he is giving some final instructions to Timothy about how he should be living. One of the things which he says here is to not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ or the ministry of the Apostle Paul. This would have been easy to do, as Timothy would have seen the afflictions which were coming on those who were proclaiming this message and could see what was happening directly to the Apostle Paul. It would have been very easy to be so ashamed of this message that Timothy could have shut his mouth and walked away like Paul states others did at the end of this epistle.

How often do individuals today fall into this type of a problem? Do we always take advantage of when the door of utterance is opened and we have the opportunity to share the gospel, or do we keep our mouths shut because we are afraid of what people are going to think of us if we talk about the Word of God? This is the problem the Apostle Paul was trying to make sure Timothy was not falling into.

2 Timothy 1:13-14

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Here we see the problem many individuals end up falling into. They do not hold onto the sound words which the Apostle Paul gives us and instead start following other things and create confusion for themselves. As they are impacting themselves, they will then an impact on others as they are giving them this information. This is what the Apostle Paul does not want to happen. Paul wants believers to maintain a firm grasp on the things which are given to us in this dispensation.

2 Timothy 2:1-2

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

As the Apostle Paul continues his writing to Timothy, we see him speak about an important aspect of how things in this dispensation will continue. The doctrine which has been given to us needs to be taught to other individuals in a manner where they are going to be hanging onto it and will then be able to go out and teach this doctrine. This is an important role of the local assembly, as the next generation needs to be able to rise up to take over the teaching of the doctrine in order to make sure individuals are able to see the fellowship of the mystery.

2 Timothy 2:16-18

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

This is the warning given by Paul right after he has given us the information on how to properly study the Word of God in verse 15. He is speaking about how there are some vain, or empty things, which will be taught. These things are going to eat away at the individual and take them away from the truth. As they eat away at them, they will be less effective in the ministry. This is why these dangers keep getting brought up to Timothy in this last epistle, as he needs to make sure he is remaining grounded.

2 Timothy 2:24-26

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

As the Apostle Paul identifies here how individuals are being caught by Satan in a trap of this doctrine, he at least brings up some good news. Paul identifies that individuals can be brought out of this to the truth of the doctrine. He gives some things of what individuals need to make sure they are doing in this. The focus needs to be on what the Word of God says, not emotions. Many times when people start talking about the Word and trying to help someone see error, they will start yelling and screaming at them, thinking this will get them back on the right path. All this does is cause both sides to dig in their heels more and become resistant to truly looking at the issues of the Word and there is no actual change which will occur. If there is actually going to be movement towards the truth, individuals need to allow the Word of God to actually do the work to create the change.

2 Timothy 3:1-9

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Here we have the Apostle Paul speaking about what is going to happen during the last days. When he says this, he is speaking about the time leading to the end of this dispensation and not speaking about the prophetic events of the Day of the Lord. Paul speaks about how there is going to be perilous times and individuals have unfortunately looked at this passage in a way Paul did not intend. Most look at this as a description of what the world is going to look like at this time. The reality is that the world has always looked like this, as the things of this world are opposed to God and the plan He has. These are the things which characterize those who are not saved and do not have the Word of God working in them.

The danger the Apostle Paul is identifying here is that the Body of Christ is going to look like the things of this world and we won't be able to distinguish between the world and the Body of Christ. This happens as individuals walk away from sound doctrine and start incorporating the things of this world into their lives. The warnings which have been given by Paul over and over through his epistles have been there to make sure individuals are not going to fall into this trap. He knows things are going to go down this path, as he identifies how evil men are going to wax worse and worse and gives this same description to those identified as seducers (2 Timothy 3:13). The seducers are the ones who want to pull people from the doctrine, driving ministries to look at the number of people attending and doing things to drive this up, even if it means walking away from the doctrine which has been given to us.

Paul does not leave us in a situation where we don't have an answer to how to keep on the right path. He identifies this later in the epistle:

2 Timothy 4:1-5

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

These things here show what the responsibility of the members of the Body of Christ really is, especially as we get closer to the end of this dispensation. The very first thing the Apostle Paul is charging Timothy to do is to preach the Word. This is where the focus of things is supposed to be, as this is what is going to produce faith in an individual (Romans 10:17) and is going to build them up so they can be able to follow this same path Paul is laying out. This runs contrary to what many think Christianity should be doing today. Many focus on various programs being run to socialize with others or focus primarily on trying to help others through giving to them. While these are good things to do and have their importance, Paul shows how the focus needs to be on the Word first, as the doctrine is what is needed.

As he continues on we see how he speaks about individuals being instant in season and out of season. The point Paul is bringing up is how individuals need to be ready and able to do things when the times are good and also when there are tough times going on. It is often easy to be doing the right things when the times are good, but it gets much harder for individuals to be doing what God intends when things are not going as well for them. This is why the Apostle Paul has to be encouraging individuals in this manner to be ready to do things no matter what the current situation is.

2 Timothy 4:10-11

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

In closing out this epistle, we see the Apostle Paul start to name the individuals of those who continued to stand with him (which was only Luke) and also to name those who loved this present world and departed from him (Demas, Crescens, and Titus). The love of the present world means they wanted the comforts which would come from going along with what the world says and does, going away from God would have us to do and the problems which come about from this. They saw all of the things which were happening to Paul and were probably experiencing some of the same things as well. There was a point where they felt they did not want to endure these things any longer and made the decision to walk away from the things of God.

This is something in the United States that is hard for us to understand. We have it pretty easy compared to some places in the world, as we have the freedom to be able to proclaim this message without fear of harm coming upon us. Paul speaks about how the time is coming when all who live godly will suffer persecution. This means that even in our country there will be a time when those who are standing for this message are going to start experiencing the things Paul suffered. The question we need to ask is will we stand for the message when this happens, or will we turn away from it to enjoy the comforts of the world and avoid any harm coming upon us?

As the second verse begins, we see the Apostle Paul quote from the Old Testament, which is something he does throughout his epistles. There is a purpose behind doing this. Paul states there are things which have been written for our learning (Romans 15:4) and there are things which have been written for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11). As he continues to teach and write, he also brings this up:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

When Paul says all scripture he really does mean all scripture. This means everything from Genesis through Revelation has been inspired by God and is profitable for all of the things which are listed in these verses. We understand t principle of how to study (2 Timothy 2:15), so we are able to keep things in their proper context and apply them to who they directly apply to. This is why we are able to understand the usage of the things from Israel's program as the Apostle Paul is writing.

This is also an important concept to note based on some of the accusations which are put against those who understand right division. We are called "Bible choppers" or accused of ignoring anything that was not written by the Apostle Paul. While we know this is where our doctrine comes from, we also should not be ignoring the other 53 books of the Bible. We can be our own enemy in this at times, as some who study the Bible according to 2 Timothy 2:15 do ignore things not written by Paul. They will purposefully avoid a study that occurring which is not in one of Paul's epistles. They will identify how there are books of the Bible they have not even read. They will even say things about how someone is wasting their time if they are spending any of it outside of Paul's epistles. When someone who does not understand the basics of the doctrine for today hears things like this, there is a tendency to start ignoring the things which are being taught as they feel the person does not really understand the things of the Word of God. It is important for us to have even a basic knowledge of the things not written by Paul and to not automatically discount the other things written in the Bible.

There are a couple of things which we will see happen when the Apostle Paul is quoting things from the prophets. He will not give the entire passage, as he is often times utilizing the principles which are laid out in the passage to reinforce what he is writing. There are also times where it is not going to be an exact quote, as he does take a little liberty in some of the instances when he is doing so. Again, this will be due to the fact he is trying to teach something to them and is giving the audience what they need.

The passage Paul is quoting from comes from here:

Isaiah 49:8

Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

We see from this that Paul only uses a portion of this text, dealing with the issue of the acceptable time and the day of salvation. He could not use the discussion of the covenants, as this is not part of who we are as the members of the Body of Christ. In Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul shows how the Gentiles were strangers from the covenants of promise and therefore were not under these things. The gospel of salvation for today is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

The last section of this we will cover in this article is where Paul speaks about giving no offense. He is speaking about how we are to conduct ourselves in our day to day walk. When someone knows an individual identifies themselves as being saved, people start to look at the individual's life to try to fund some flaw to be able to call them out on it. Paul had already said something similar to this assembly in the first epistle:

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

At the time of the writing of the epistle, all of these groups were in place and they would have been able to have interactions with any of them. The issue was Paul wanted them to make sure they were not doing anything which would have offended them. Many today use their liberty to do whatever they want, even if they know it is going to have a negative impact on someone.

Paul has told us we are to utilize him as a pattern for our lives. The following verse shows what this would mean in the context of giving no offense:

1 Thessalonians 2:10

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

Paul states they were able to see how he behaved when he was among them. The words he uses to describe how he acted indicate he did not just do anything, especially if it was going to have an impact on someone that would be considered offensive. He goes on in the epistle we are looking at to speak of how he did not wrong, corrupt, or defraud other individuals (2 Corinthians 7:2). He also speaks about how if Onesimus had wronged Philemon that it should be put on his account and to not hold Onesimus responsible (Philemon 18). This showed that Paul wanted to make sure Onesimus was going to be treated right when he went back.

Some will take this as trying to put someone under a performance-based system or attempt to go under the law. This is not what the Apostle Paul is saying. He has given many examples in his epistles of how to practically live our lives. We are to follow the clear doctrine which has been given to us, as this is going to be a good example for others, which is where Paul wants us to be. When we do this, we will be functioning in this manner:

Philippians 2:14-16

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [16] Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

The members of the Body of Christ are to shine as lights in the world. We are not to use our liberty as a manner to fill our selfish desires, but we are to be the example to others on how God would have us live. This is why we are told to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8) and other descriptions Paul uses to describe this. Our lifestyle needs to reflect the ministry which has been given to us, which we will look at in more detail in the next article.