Use It Well
Today's Verse:
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. ~2 Corinthians 6:1
God’s grace is His heavenly gift to us. It is His love expressed to us in many immeasurable ways. His grace is also a treasure entrusted to us after we are saved. Paul made a passionate request of the believers at Corinth that equally applies to us as well. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” This morning, let us consider the gift that we must put to good use.
We see a privileged position.
Our introduction to God’s grace occurs when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” God’s grace is what saves us from our sins, gives us a home in Heaven, and gives us acceptance in the beloved. The abundance of God’s saving grace gives us security and satisfaction in our eternal relationship with God.
We see a passionate performance.
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” God’s grace has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are God’s ambassadors to the world. This ministry of reconciliation is the priority of getting Jesus to every sinner. God desires that we compassionately endeavor to get the gospel to the unsaved. We are told, “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” We have been entrusted with the gospel message to this generation, and we need to be sure that we are conscious at every waking moment of people who need the Lord. Our goal through the gospel is to help men be reconciled to God through acceptance by faith in Christ.
We see a proven presentation.
“Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” The service of God demands that we are blameless in all things. In 2 Corinthians 6:4-10, Paul gives an extensive listing of responsibilities tied to the service of God that is our continual benchmark by which we must always measure ourselves by. Serving God demands that we give our best. Serving God demands that we excel. Serving God demands that we do nothing to bring reproach to the name of the Lord. Serving God demands that in all things (good times and bad times, commended and condemned, helping and needing help), the Lord is magnified. God’s grace at work in us demands that His grace is maximized in us in all things.
We see our pressing priority.
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” God’s grace at work instills in us an urgency in seeing souls saved. Notice in 2 Corinthians 6:2 the word “now.” Now is the day of salvation; now is the accepted time. There never is a better time to preach the gospel than now! There never is a better time to do something in faith for God than now. God hears our request for sinners to be saved and missionaries to be sent out. Now moves us to action. Now moves us to get things done. The grace of God places a pressing priority upon us.
See that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. Put God’s grace to maximized and excellent use in your life. Don’t waste your opportunities! Don’t waste your life! We are workers together with God: let God arise within you!
Have a grace-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 21-24