“Don’t receive the grace of God in vain” – this is the big idea from our Scripture passage today. Over Easter weekend, we remembered Jesus’s death and resurrection and all the grace extended to us from God. Don’t receive all this in a way that makes no difference to your life.
Working together with [God], then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
– 2 Corinthians 6:1 (ESV)
How might we receive God’s grace in vain? What would it look like to not receive His grace fruitfully? This is what the apostle Paul answers in the next few verses.
How to Receive God’s Grace in a Fruitful Way
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
– v. 2
Here, Paul quotes from Isaiah when he announced that God was bringing His people out of exile. Can you imagine the people being like, “That’s great news!” but remaining in exile and not reacting to it? This would be an example of responding to God’s grace in vain.
Now you might be asking, “What am I supposed to do in order to receive God’s grace in a fruitful way? It’s not really clear.” But the Bible is actually quite clear. Our part in receiving God’s grace through Christ involves:
- repenting of our sins, turning away from living our own way
- confessing those sins, acknowledging that you’re sinful and in need of salvation
- receiving and accepting God’s grace and forgiveness – it’s a free gift
- entering into this new relationship with God, reading His Word, praying, using your spiritual gifts in the church, etc.
Unfortunately, many people receive God’s grace in vain. They hang onto the Bible and think that what Christ did was great, but it makes no discernible difference in their life. They’re not reconciled to God and haven’t actually been saved.
It’s Up to Us to Act on God’s Grace
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry …
– v. 3
Paul did his part when it came to the Corinthians receiving God’s grace. In the same way, Scripture has done it’s part for us to receive it. God has done His part for us to receive it. Now it’s up to us.
In the next seven verses, Paul lists about 30 ways in which he has ministered. It’s a reminder to the Christians in Corinth that he did everything he could to help them receive God’s grace unhindered.
The bottom line is, act on what you hear in God’s Word. Act on the ministry you receive through Scripture, the apostle Paul and other ministers. Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.
What all this means . . .
Maybe for you, this is the reason your Christian life is flat and lifeless. You might hear God’s Word and learn something, but you don’t adjust your life because of it. You’re not acting on what you have received.
If that’s you, then here is a little challenge. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 and answer these questions to help you respond:
- What is the passage saying? You may not understand everything, but write down what you do know in clear terms.
- So what? Take what you know and figure out why it’s important.
- Now what? Now that you know what the passage is saying and have figured out why it’s important, decide how to respond. Is there something to obey? Is there something to rejoice in? To pray about? To believe? There is always a specific way to respond to God’s Word.
This is how Christians receive God’s grace in a fruitful way.
Devotional streamed on Facebook Live – Monday, Apr. 13 @ 3:00 PM
