RECEIVING GOD'S GRACE IN VAIN
II Corinthians 6:1-2
"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.' Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation."
What does it mean to "receive the grace of God in vain"? I think it might mean to believe in Christ for salvation, but then go my own way, living my own life like I want, pleasing myself, and leaving God out of the picture. After Paul lists all his sufferings for Christ and the sake of the Gospel (vss. 3-10) – a life he probably would not have chosen for himself – he told the Corinthians, "You are restricted by your own affections" (vs. 12). They were not maturing in their Christian walk because they were living for themselves. They had received the Gospel in vain and then left God behind. They had received salvation in the past, but were not living it "today." They were stunted in their spiritual growth because they were living according to their own desires. There are many who have received God's gift of salvation but are spiritual dwarfs because they leave God out of their daily lives. Trusting God is a day by day, minute by minute existence. I do not want to be a spiritual pygmy.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Accepting Christ's salvation is not a one-time experience but a day by day living for Him.
[end]
Have a God-centered day. Love you.
II Corinthians 6:1-2
"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.' Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation."
What does it mean to "receive the grace of God in vain"? I think it might mean to believe in Christ for salvation, but then go my own way, living my own life like I want, pleasing myself, and leaving God out of the picture. After Paul lists all his sufferings for Christ and the sake of the Gospel (vss. 3-10) – a life he probably would not have chosen for himself – he told the Corinthians, "You are restricted by your own affections" (vs. 12). They were not maturing in their Christian walk because they were living for themselves. They had received the Gospel in vain and then left God behind. They had received salvation in the past, but were not living it "today." They were stunted in their spiritual growth because they were living according to their own desires. There are many who have received God's gift of salvation but are spiritual dwarfs because they leave God out of their daily lives. Trusting God is a day by day, minute by minute existence. I do not want to be a spiritual pygmy.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Accepting Christ's salvation is not a one-time experience but a day by day living for Him.
[end]
Have a God-centered day. Love you.
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