6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, 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 yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Have you ever looked at buying something like a rare coin or even a baseball card, but first you had to wonder: “is it authentic”? Is it really what it claims to be, or is this some kind of fake? Today, Pastor John continues on his theme of authenticity, taking on the matter of authentic love. What is it? How can you recognize it? How can you live it? As you look at the life of the apostle Paul, you’ll see what it meant to him. And what it took for him – and what it’ll take for you – to truly live it.
Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 6 as he continues his message, Hardships of Ministry.