Daily Bread 2010 - 2 Corinthians 6
1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul’s biggest concern for the church of Corinth was that they would receive God’s grace in vain. The Corinthian’s were known for their many gifts, and yet also worldliness had crept into the church. Immorality, selfishness, pride and entering to relationships with unbelievers were all threats to the influence that God intended for this strategically located church.
Paul points to his own example and the hardship he has endured for the sake of the gospel. It is in verses 4 and 5 that we see the extent of Paul’s suffering on behalf for the sake of the gospel he preached. And all this came out of love for the church, including the church gathered in Corinth. Now Paul asks them to step up and give themselves in a similar manner.
As we observe Paul’s life, we see that he is the farthest example from receiving God’s grace in vain. At the end of his life Paul could say that his life was poured out like a “drink offering”. And that “he had fought the good fight and finished the race” and there was “laid up for him a crown of heaven that will never fade away”.
It is in the previous ch.5 in verse 10 where Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” This is of course not judgment for our sinful nature, but a judgment for whether we have received God’s grace in vain.
Paul says, “Now is the time of salvation”, meaning today is the day to use God’s grace for its highest purposes. It is doesn’t matter what you have done with the grace of God in the past, today is the day of salvation. Commit to using God’s grace to serve and loves others as a response to this indescribable gift we have been given.
Dear Jesus we thank you for the grace you have given us. Help us to use the grace you have given us to further the advancement of Your Kingdom here on earth. We repent of receiving Your grace in vain, and commit to living in Paul’s footsteps regardless of the cost. Send Your Spirit to guide us and give us courage for the days ahead and to be reckless abandoned to Your purposes in Your name we pray, Amen.
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul’s biggest concern for the church of Corinth was that they would receive God’s grace in vain. The Corinthian’s were known for their many gifts, and yet also worldliness had crept into the church. Immorality, selfishness, pride and entering to relationships with unbelievers were all threats to the influence that God intended for this strategically located church.
Paul points to his own example and the hardship he has endured for the sake of the gospel. It is in verses 4 and 5 that we see the extent of Paul’s suffering on behalf for the sake of the gospel he preached. And all this came out of love for the church, including the church gathered in Corinth. Now Paul asks them to step up and give themselves in a similar manner.
As we observe Paul’s life, we see that he is the farthest example from receiving God’s grace in vain. At the end of his life Paul could say that his life was poured out like a “drink offering”. And that “he had fought the good fight and finished the race” and there was “laid up for him a crown of heaven that will never fade away”.
It is in the previous ch.5 in verse 10 where Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” This is of course not judgment for our sinful nature, but a judgment for whether we have received God’s grace in vain.
Paul says, “Now is the time of salvation”, meaning today is the day to use God’s grace for its highest purposes. It is doesn’t matter what you have done with the grace of God in the past, today is the day of salvation. Commit to using God’s grace to serve and loves others as a response to this indescribable gift we have been given.
Dear Jesus we thank you for the grace you have given us. Help us to use the grace you have given us to further the advancement of Your Kingdom here on earth. We repent of receiving Your grace in vain, and commit to living in Paul’s footsteps regardless of the cost. Send Your Spirit to guide us and give us courage for the days ahead and to be reckless abandoned to Your purposes in Your name we pray, Amen.
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