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The Bible Study – Our reading for Wednesday, August 28 is 2nd Corinthians 6:1-18. The Church at Corinth was afflicted by false teachers whose un-Godly goal was to divide and destroy this early Christian community. These false ‘apostles’ attacked Christ’s true Apostle, Paul. Paul reminds the Corinthians of his devoted Christian missionary life, of the hardships and persecution he’s suffered willingly for the sake of the Gospel, and of his truthful witness to our Saviour. Today there are those who attack the Christian Church with false teachings and accusations. Their goal is the same: to divide people from the grace, mercy, and salvation found only in Christ. Contrary to God’s Word in the Bible, many suggest we can be saved in whole or part by our own ‘good works.’ Others deny that infants need, and should receive, the Sacrament of Baptism. Still others contradict the teaching of Holy Scripture that the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper contains the true presence of the body and blood of Christ. Paul gives Pastoral advice as relevant today as when it was written: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” (2 Cor. 6:14) We should not be involved in any way with religious organizations or ‘spiritual’ groups that deny the Word of God, who refuse to accept Jesus as our sole Redeemer. Nor should we, in our personal life, either marry or have close friendships with those who reject our Saviour. Paul rightly asks, “What accord has Christ with the devil? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” The choices the Apostle made in his life positively affected his Christian witness. The choices we make, and our associations reflect our faith and impact our Christian witness. There’s much at stake. Believers are Christ’s disciples of today to spread the Good News. As Paul wrote, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2b) Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs