Endless Possibilities – 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (HCSB)

³ We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. ⁴ But in everything, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves:
by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by pressures,
⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness,
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
⁷ by the message of truth, by the power of God;
through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left,
⁸ through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
⁹ as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live;
as being chastened yet not killed;
¹⁰ as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.
¹¹ We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. ¹² You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. ¹³ Now in like response—I speak as to children—you also should be open to us.

Paul challenges the Corinthians to have a ministry with no limitations.  The idea of “Endless Possibilities” in our lives is fulfilled as long as we don’t set our own limits or live in such a way as to create limits.  We might outline this passage in the following way:

1. We try not to fail morally, so that our ministry will not be limited – verse 3

2. We never think circumstances beyond our control can stop us, but we see everything as an opportunity to grow our ministry – verses 4-10

3. The only thing that can limit the possibilities for God in us, is us – verse 12

Have we created our own limits?  Have we allowed outside circumstances to stop us?  Do we hide behind humility as a shield from faith in God, e.g. “I couldn’t do that” “I don’t have those skills”?