We then, as workers
together with Him
also plead with you
not to receive
the grace of God in
vain.
For He says:
"In an
acceptable time I have heard you,
and in the day of
salvation I have helped you."
(Isaiah 49:8)
Behold, now is the
accepted time;
behold, now is the
day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:1 --
2
Let first
address the italics "with Him" so there is no misunderstanding
and those words that were used and are in italics. To do this we must look at the antecedent
phrases that give warrant for the use of the Greek word: καί, which is the word
in the verse that can be translated as either also or and, according to the
context. It is found that the
antecedent where Paul was writing that we are the ambassadors for Christ so we
are to be working with and for Him. The English word for plead means that we
are to be exhorting the Gospel and to aid one another to be a worker for Jesus Christ. If we are
doing so then you are not in vain and are not doing what ever it is you think you are doing
that meets some criteria that makes you feel godly. How was it that we can work with Jesus Christ and the work that He requires us to do? It is simply
because we have received the grace of God and by this grace of God received by
us we will not misuse it or use this grace in vain. Isaiah prophesied that God hears us and
helps us and this is especially so in the day of salvation which is now
because Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, died on the cross, rose again, and
ascended into heaven to make intercession eternally for all of God's children. What is it that we are to be speaking as
ambassadors for Jesus Christ? Is it
about running around trying to heal people, or praying for people who really
have no interest in Jesus Christ or God?
Or is it that we are to be speaking and preaching the gospel which is a
word of grace in the ears of God's children and this grace is sweet honey but
not for those who will not hear it for they hear it in vain and it would be that for us also unless
we actually believe it and comply with its design. God loves and that love is so great, an unspeakable love that is
to be found in the redemption by His Only Begotten Son, and to be found in the
ministry of reconciliation that has been assigned to God's children. This is a special grace or a free favor that
is shown to God's children whom He has reconciled and if we are not working in
this great work, this so great a salvation, then we are altogether in vain as
those who are neglecting this great salvation through unbelief and love of
sin. The gospel is the day of
salvation, not someday far off, but now!
This is by the means of grace that there is an offer of salvation and it
is in the present that one except this offer.
Today, while it is called today, but tomorrow is not yours or anyone
else, for we do not know what tomorrow holds.
We do not know what will occur in this season of grace for it is
uncertain for us in this life. We
cannot go back into the past nor should we even recall the past except for what
it can do to aid us not to do simple things again or to aid us to continue in our work as
an ambassador for Jesus Christ. The
present day alone is yours, the future may find you in eternity in heaven,
and if we are not presently working for Jesus Christ we may be left to our own
hardness of heart or is this hardness of heart that keeps us from the work that
Jesus Christ commands us to do. And now
more than ever before you can enjoy a day of grace but let us be careful not to
neglect it. Paul gives us how this can
be done:" We give no offense in
anything, that our ministry may not be blamed" (2 Corinthians 6: 3). Here is where the rubber meets the
road! Are what we are doing, even
though it may seem as though we are doing God's work, promoting the cause of
Christ or not? Is your life in harmony
with what you say you are: a Christian?
Or, are you doing things that are considered by non-Christians offensive
because they are not according to the Scripture as it least they know it to
be? For instance are you attending
the martial arts where people are beating up people to a bloody pulp? Maybe it is that you're going to concerts
where drug infested singers or non-Christian singers are singing songs that
are promoting sex or a lifestyle that is in contradiction to God's Word? Maybe you are spending too much time at the
local bar. Maybe your house needs
painting, or your fence need repairing, or your lawn to be mowed, or your car
to be washed. Maybe your dress is so
suggestive, or you're running around getting tattoos as though that somehow
this makes you a better person but all it does is make you look like others who
are not living according to God's standard.
Are you denying yourself and picking up your cross and following Jesus
Christ. Or, are you falling prey to the
culture of this world? Paul wrote: "But in all things we come in ourselves
as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, and
distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, and labors, in the
sleeplessness, and fast things, in purity, by knowledge, my long-suffering, by
kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the
power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right-hand and on the left,
by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet
true; as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying, and behold we live; as
chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; asked for,
yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing all things"
(2 Corinthians: 6:4 -- 10). Does this
describe you? I asked myself the same
question. The standard for Authentic Christians
has been set and now the question is: Will you and I meet that standard?
Indeed it was for my own peace
then I had
great bitterness;
but You have lovingly delivered my soul
from the
pit of corruption
for You have cast all my sins behind your back.
For Sheol
cannot thank You,
death cannot praise You; those who go down to the pit
cannot hope
for Your truth.
The living, the living man, he shall praise You,
as I do
this to a; the father shall make known
Your truth to the children.
Isaiah
38: 17 -- 19
The Lord saved you: sing to Him songs of praise
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