2 Corinthians 6 (1)

Pray Psalm 96.1-4.
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.

Sing Psalm 96.1-4.
(Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
Sing to the LORD! O, bless His Name! All nations tell His glory!
Salvation’s tidings loud proclaim; let earth rehearse His story!
For God is greatly to be praised; His throne above all gods is raised!
Fear Him and sing His glory!

Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 6.1, 2.

Preparation
1. How must we not receive the grace of God?

2. In what acceptable time and day do we live?

Meditation
It is possible to receive the grace of God in vain, that is, without bringing forth any evidence of saving grace (Heb. 11.1). Paul determined that he would not receive God’s grace this way, so he abounded in good works of witness and love (1 Cor. 15.58). Here he pled with the Corinthians to follow his example.

This is the day of salvation concerning which Isaiah prophesied. In the context of this quote (v. 2), the people of God are identified as His covenant people, called to restore the reconciled world to God, set free those who are imprisoned to sin and death, and shine light into the darkness (Is. 49.8, 9). Where the grace of God is received, the work of grace abounds. God’s common grace benefits every human being; His saving grace reaches only to those who repent and believe the Gospel. Most of those who enjoy God’s common grace show no gratitude, take little or no thought for Him, and do not walk the path Jesus walked (1 Jn. 2.1-6). All in whom God’s saving grace has taken hold carry on the work of Kingdom ambassadors, are increasingly transformed into the likeness of Jesus, and bear witness to the Gospel as they are going in their Personal Mission Field.

God has declared the times we live in “the day of salvation”. These are the times when God’s servants live and proclaim the Good News. And these are the “acceptable” times when many who hear will repent and believe in Jesus. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation (v. 2).

Our labors as grace spreaders will never be in vain in the Lord. Let us abound in them daily.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
What exciting work! And God has chosen us to be “workers together with Him” to accomplish it! (2 Cor. 6.1; 1 Cor. 3.9

In the Handbook for this work, we are given some guidelines for success.
First, don’t do the work in vain (2 Cor. 6.1), which happens when we receive the gift of God’s gracious salvation and then don’t live the life that matches up to our words.

God has been warning of this since Moses’ day. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Ex. 20.7). This commandment goes far beyond merely using His Name as an expletive. It encompasses our entire life. We take His Name in vain when we claim to be a Christian, accepting God’s grace, and then spurn His demands for how we live that Name out. Hypocrite sums it up nicely.

And second, we are to live it out in the present—not the past or the future—now!
“Now is the accepted time.”
“Now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6.2)

Although it sounds well-meaning to say that a while ago, we really loved Jesus, or maybe sometime soon we’re going to start spending more time in the Word and prayer; those things are not current events. They are merely memories and/or futuristic hopes; and He knows the difference.
He knows when He is not pre-eminent: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” This He said to the church at Ephesus: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless…” (Rev. 2.2-4).

Granted, they sounded successful; but by receiving the grace of God in vain, had sadly lost their first love.
They were going through the motions of love; without experiencing the love.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…” (1 Pet. 4.17).
We do not want to be found akin to those church folk that Jude referred to as “spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds…” (Jude 12).

These words of Paul’s, Peter’s, and Jude’s were not sent to heathen folk in some dark, far-off country. They were sent to the church. Then and now. As in now. To us, His people promoting His Church, His grace, and the glorious day and reality of His salvation.

Paul said, “I plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
We hear, and respond as those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Jesus Christ (Jude 1) and as workers together with God:

“Now to Him who is able
to keep [us] from stumbling,
and to present [us] faultless before
the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
to God our Savior, who alone is wise,
be glory and majesty,
dominion and power,
both now and forever.
Amen” (Jude 24, 25).

“Let us abound!”

For reflection
1. How do you understand what it means not to receive the grace of God in vain?

2. How might prayer and a little planning make it more likely that you would be a grace spreader each day?

3. What’s one thing you can do throughout the day to remind yourself that God has called you to do His work in your Personal Mission Field?

The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6.1-10

Pray Psalm 96.5-13.
Rejoice in the salvation of the Lord. Give Him thanks and praise. Call on Him so to work His grace in and through you today that you will be a fruitful spreader of His Good News to others.

Sing Psalm 96.5-13.
(Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
All other gods are idols vain; the LORD created heaven.
Splendor and strength with Him obtain; to Him be glory given!
All fam’lies, praise this mighty LORD! Give strength and glory to His Word;
exalt the LORD of heaven!

Bring off’rings sweet to Him, our LORD, in holy garments praise Him!
Tremble before Him, all the earth; among the nations raise Him!
The earth is fixed, it will not move; the peoples will His justice prove.
Exalt the LORD and praise Him!

Let heaven sing with lusty voice; let earth and sea sing sweetly!
Let fields and trees in Him rejoice, for He is coming swiftly
to judge the world in righteousness, the peoples in His faithfulness.
He comes; exalt Him greatly!

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today needs revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.