Behold, now is a favorable time, behold, now is a day of salvation

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— ² for He says,

“At a favorable time I listened to you, And on a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation”— ³ giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, ⁴ but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, ⁵ in beatings, in imprisonments, in mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, ⁶ in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, ⁷ in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, ⁸ by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; ⁹ as unknown and yet well known, as dying and yet behold, we are alive; as punished and yet not put to death, ¹⁰ as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

¹¹ Our mouth has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. ¹² You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. ¹³ Now in the same way in exchange—I am speaking as to children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.

Yesterday’s meditation ended saying: Again, the text says: Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  An ambassador is a person who lives in a foreign kingdom in order to represent their own kingdom in that land. We live in the kingdom of the world, but we are to be ambassadors of the kingdom of God. An ambassador does not hide the fact that they represent their own kingdom. They do it boldly and proudly. Far too many Christians today are more like secret agents for Jesus rather than ambassadors. They hide their allegiance to the kingdom of God and try to blend into the kingdom of the world. Rather than boldly and proudly representing their kingdom, they act as if they are ashamed.  In Luke 9:26 Jesus says: “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”  The distinction between darkness and light is becoming ever clearer to those who know the Light. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commissions us as His ambassadors and instructs us saying: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. Philippians 2:10-11 says: At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. There will come a time when everyone will acknowledge that Jesus has been given all authority, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In today’s text it says: And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— for He says, “At a favorable time I listened to you, And on a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “a favorable time, behold, now is “a day of salvation.”

2 Peter 3:3-10 says: Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? … But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be  discovered.  God’s grace is not that He has determined to tolerate the sin and immorality of this or any generation. His grace is shown toward us in His patience, that He continues to give us time so that all could come to repentance. But, that time, that grace, that patience will come to an end. In Matthew 24:36;42;44  Jesus says: “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone… Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming…  For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”  

Revelation 22:12-13;20-21 says: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”… “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.2 Peter 3:14-15;18 says: Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. “Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation.”  Amen.