2 Corinthians 6:1-10

                                                                 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.  For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”  Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.  We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

The grace of God is an astounding thing.  The fact that our sins can be forgiven because of the work of Christ on the cross is a grace beyond measure.  Because this grace is so great, it is worth any manner of sacrifice to proclaim.  However, no matter how great the grace and the sacrifice made to proclaim it; those who hear of God’s amazing grace must receive it while there is still time.

 

UBELIEVERS MUST RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD: Paul urges his readers not to receive the grace of God in vain.  Those who hear of God’s grace in the person of Christ must respond to it in faith.  God has prepared a favorable time and place for people to hear the Gospel, but they must respond to it.  God will not strive with men endlessly in His efforts to bring them to Himself.  We can never know when the Lord will no longer extend His grace.  Paul cries out that “today is the day of salvation.”  When unbelievers hear the Gospel but refuse to respond, they do not have a guarantee that there will be another opportunity.  It is important to warn other of this truth and to urge them to receive the grace of God immediately.

 

BELIEVERS MUST RECOMMEND THE GRACE OF GOD: Paul and his team of missionaries want to make sure that they did not put any barriers in the way of people receiving God’s grace.  He refused to require observance of the Jewish Law and refused to require Jews to abandon their traditions as long as they did not get in the way of faith in Christ.  On the contrary, Paul was willing to face unimaginable hardships in his efforts to take the message of the Gospel to all people everywhere.  He willingly embraced outward persecution, natural difficulties, made personal sacrifices, and worked diligently without thought of giving up.  He was willing to be misunderstood, wrongfully judged, and suffer indignations with great joy because the advancement of the Gospel of God’s grace was his priority.

 

APPLICATION: Respond to God’s grace in faith.  Even as believers, we are given many opportunities to confess and admit sin and experience His gracious forgiveness.  Willingly face hardships to boldly proclaim the glorious message of God’s grace.

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