Accepting Grace

Living in the Spirit
June 22, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way:

 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.
–2 Corinthians 6:1-4a, 11-13

Grace in both the Greek and Hebrew refers to God freely extending Godself reaching (inclining) to people because God is disposed to bless (be near) them*.

We celebrate the gift of God’s grace, but have we ever explored why it was given? If we accept the grace of God, what does it mean to do so in vain: empty, void, hence, worthless (“null”), amounting to zero (of no value or profit) **?

My pastor’s preschool-aged son made him a paper tie for Father’s Day which he proudly wore over his regular tie and called the congregation’s attention to it. It was cute but that did not really matter. What mattered was the recognition by a child of his father’s love, which was going to be their unconditionally, but which is far richer for both the father and the son when it is reciprocated. When we shun God’s desire to be near us, we render God’s gift of grace as worthless.

We live in a time of great dis-ease never knowing what the next news report will bring. Our society seems to be spiraling out of control and leaders nor followers seem able to remove themselves from the force of the spiral. This force is not of God. Paul assures us that there are no real obstacles. Now is the acceptable time for us to recognize the nearness of God and grab hold of God’s grace not turn our backs on it. We may be in for a rough ride, but our driver is unconditionally dependable.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught up in the madness of our world and forget that you are near and with your love intact, we can face anything. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm
**http://biblehub.com/greek/2756.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.