2 Corinthians 6

1As God’s partners,* we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2For God says, 25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. 28For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is achange of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person witha changed heart seeks praise* from God, not from people.

God Remains Faithful

Then what's the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.* 3True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?

4Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. Asthe Scriptures say about him,“You will be proved right in what you say,and you will win your case in court.”*

5“But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn't it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 6Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 7“But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

All People Are Sinners

99 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles,* are under the power of sin. 10As the Scriptures say,

“No one is righteous—not even one.

11No one is truly wise;no one is seeking God.

12All have turned away;all have become useless.No one does good,not a single one.”*

13“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.Their tongues are filled with lies.”“Snake venom drips from their lips.”*

14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.18 “They rush to commit murder.

16Destruction and misery always follow them.

17They don’t know where to find peace.”*

18“They have no fear of God at all.”*orn

19Qbviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 2°For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 2. Forgiveness of sin through Christ

Christ Took Our Punishment

21But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the require-ments of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses* and the prophets long ago.22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And thisis true for every-one who believes, no matter who we are.3:10-12 Pss 14:1-3; 53:1-3 (Greek version). 3:13 Pss 5:9 (Greek version); 140:3. 3:14 Ps 10:7 (Greek version).3:15-17 Isa 59:7-8. 3:18 Ps 36:1. 3:21 Greek in the law.ELECTION............--- God's choice of an individual or group for a specific purposeRomans 9:10-13 or destiny.JUSTIFICATION.........- God’s act of declaring us “not guilty” for our sins, makingRomans 4:25; 5:18 us “right” with him.PROPITIATION........--+ The removal of God’s punishment for sin through the perfectRomans 3:25 sacrifice of Jesus Christ.REDEMPTION..........-- Jesus Christ has paid the price so we can go free. The priceRomans 3:24; 8:23 of sin is death; Jesus paid the price.SANCTIFICATION......... Becoming more and more like Jesus Christ through the workRomans 5:2; 15:16 of the Holy Spirit.GLORIFICATION The ultimate state of the believer after death when he or sheRomans 8:18, 19, 30 becomes like Christ (1 John 3:2).ready to hang up your defenses and await his decision? If youhaven't, stop now and admit your sin to him. If you have, thefollowing verses are truly good news for you!3:20, 31 In these verses we see two functions of God’s law.First, it shows us where we go wrong. Because of the law, weknow that we are helpless sinners and that we must come toJesus Christ for mercy. Second, the moral code revealed in thelaw can serve to guide our actions by holding up God’s moralstandards. We do not earn salvation by keeping the law (no oneexcept Christ ever kept or could keep God’s law perfectly), but wedo please God when our life conforms to his revealed wilt for us.3:21-29 After all this bad news about our sinfulness and God'scondemnation, Paul gives the wonderful news. There is a way tobe declared not guilty—by trusting Jesus Christ to take away oursins. Trusting means putting our confidence in Christ to forgiveour sins, to make us right with God, and to empower us to livethe way he taught us. God’s solution is available to all of usregardless of our background or past behavior.