Behold, now is the favorable time

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

“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.”

Have you given thought to receiving the grace of God in vain, who and how would one do such a thing?  I believe a simple answer is a person in a big jam, one who needs a quick fix but does not desire losing control of their desires but wants to be in total control of life after getting out of the jam.  Such a person is unable to grasp the reality of grace. 

When I was a young man one of the neighbors sons got very sick, the parents were sure he was going to die and they ask to meet with the local pastor and boy did they make promises if God would only save their son, they would come to church, they would change their lifestyle, but it was conditional, God had to save their boy.  The boy had a big change in the next few days but the parents did not honor one of their promises, is that not receiving the grace of God in vain?

But what about us who follow Christ, do we denigrate grace when we are not graceful to those we live with, our families, our parents, our teachers, those who work for us or whom we work for?  When you have identified yourself as a follower of Christ, and someone asks this question of you that was ask of me many years ago, now the question was from my friend Ronnie.  It was at a time I was going for what I wanted at that moment, and Ronnie said I thought you said you were a Christian, is that action in keeping with your faith?  My action was not and I’m so glad Ronnie ask that question, it has stuck with me all these years.

From the fall of mankind God as been extending His grace to men, but over and over they have heard another voice, I call it Channel One the deceptive channel, and it always says later, not today, it’s time to have fun to break the rules and get your needs met outside of God.  And that voice has been responsible for millions to never experience the grace of God.  But there is another voice, and it is much softer, in fact, one has to be still to hear it, and I call it Channel Two, the Holy Spirit of God.  It is saying; “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold now is the day of salvation.”  Two voices, one is deceptive, the other wants only that you will receive the free gift of Grace, and be made new.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice