The Time of God’s Favor
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2 Corinthians 6:1-13
1. Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4. but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5. beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; 6. by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, 7. truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8. in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9. as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10. as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11. Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide. 12. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13. In return -- I speak as to children -- widen your hearts also.
When God offers us His grace, he really offers us a renewal, a new life; but He doesn’t force us to accept His grace—he allows us to accept it in our own time. We shouldn’t wait too long, though because we don’t know when Christ will come again—it could be today! But once we do accept it, we shouldn’t waste it! During Christ’s lifetime and after, many “false prophets” lived among the people. They worked hard to discredit the apostles and their message of God’s saving grace. Paul has received word that the people in Corinth are being influenced by these prophets. They are working hard to discredit Paul and the others.
But Paul reminds the Corinthians they have commended themselves to these people who they love—they have offered their love to them, and hold a tender place in their hearts for them. When we have received God’s grace, we must love everyone—even our enemies; even those who don’t love us back—for whatever reason that might be. We are to endure afflictions, hardships, beatings, hunger, and in spite of all of those we are to live in purity, kindness and genuine love.
We are to continue to speak the truth of the Good News! And we are to endure and ignore what others say about us—because God’s grace is all we need! One by one, Paul counters the accusations made against him by these false prophets who are self-serving and seek notoriety and respect from the people—by discrediting others, rather than living by the example of Paul and apostles.
Now is the time for love! The day of the second coming is near! Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t let your own hurt and pride prevent you from loving everyone—unbelievers, those who have wronged you, hurt you, lied about you, turned away from you, denied you, ignored you. Love them. Just as Christ loved us—and died for us—a terrible, painfully agonizing death—even while we were still sinners.
Love one another. Even when love is not returned. Love. Widen your heart.
I hope you spend your day seeking God’s favor—loving one another and widening your hearts.
Mary
