The Christian might be asked the question,
“After death, then what?” Paul has given us his reasons
for the joy in his sufferings, and has just said that
the greater the suffering in this present world, the
greater will be the glory in eternity. What is the
teaching here? Paul is still discussing his ministry and
answering the accusations of his enemies. He says that
he works because of his love for the Lord, not because
of fleshly desires. We notice four motives that
controlled Paul. The first was his confidence in heaven.
In chapter 4 Paul tells us his determination to serve
Christ, in spite of the suffering and even death. He had
lived by faith, not by sight, and his faith was not
blind trust; it was a certain confidence in the Word of
God. What a blessed challenge to Christians today to
live by faith and not by sight. When we are willing to
give ourselves fully to Christ, and trust Him for our
future, we can then know the joy of real Christian
living.
The second motive that controlled Paul was his
concern to please Christ. This should be the concern of
every Christian today. Not to please the world or self,
but to please God in everything we do. In chapter 5:14-
17 we see that Paul was constrained by love to go to
every extreme to win men to Christ.
The third controlling power in Paul’s life was
his love for Christ. When we are motivated by the same
love, then we want to share with others what He has done
for us. The truth of verse 17 has been shown in the
lives of Christians down through the ages. If any man is
in Christ he is truly a new creature; old things are
passed away, and behold, all things are become new.
The final motive that controlled Paul was his
commission from God. God had called Paul to preach the
Gospel, and Paul was motivated because of that call.
In chapter 5:10 we are again confronted with the
fact that “We must all appear before the judgment seat
of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in
his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be
good or bad.” This verse should sober us into the
realization that Christ is keeping a record of what is
happening in our lives. Whether good or bad, the record
is true and clear. The just God is keeping the books!
In chapter 6:11-13 Paul is appealing to the
Christians at Corinth to be separate from the world. The
church at Corinth had generally been negligent from
walking uprightly before God. Paul gives specific
instructions to them in these verses to be set apart for
the work of the Lord. In verse 14 he tells us to not be
unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This refers
to a business relationship, as well as a marriage
relationship. It is impossible for a saved and an
unsaved man to join in a successful business venture.
Why? Because their interests are different. Generally,
the saved man is controlled by the unsaved man, and the
testimony of the Christian begins to slip. In verse 17
Paul tells all Christians to come out from among them
and be separate. Separation, in Scripture, is two-fold.
We are to come out from the things that are contrary to
God, and come to God Himself. We are to be separated
from the world for testimony’s sake. Too many people
today are dealing and dabbling in the things of the
world–thus hurting their testimony. When it is
impossible for the world to tell the difference between
Christians and non-Christians because of their
associations, then it is time for the Christians to
break those unrighteous associations! God has a great
promise in verse 18 for those who will be separate. He
says He will be a Father unto us, and we shall be His
sons and daughters. There is nothing more blessed than
the right relationship between father and son. Here God
promises a wonderful relationship with Him, if we will
but keep ourselves from the things of the world.