2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul is among the ambassador's for Christ but what I love in this scripture is that he considers himself a co-worker with Jesus Christ. Jesus didn't need Paul's help and for that matter, He doesn't need us but He chooses for us to work together with Him for the good of the Gospel. This beautiful picture reminds me of my husband, Bob. He loves to teach our grandchildren how to do practical things and when they are around he makes an effort to make room for them in all of his projects. My husband definitely doesn't need the help and actually the children are probably in the way, but He chooses to include them. He wants them to be a part of all that He is doing so they will learn and some day be able to do these things on their own. God in the same way desires that we join Him in His work. As we spend time with Jesus His likeness rubs off and hopefully others will catch a greater glimpse of who He is when they spend time in our midst.
Notice Paul's choice of words here when he says "workers". Work is not a four letter word, it is good for us to work. God made us to work but God doesn't choose to join us in our work, He asks us to join Him in His work. We are not called to be pew sitters, loafers or couch potatoes. His desire is that we find out where He is working and then to join Him in what He is doing.
The idea Paul was trying to convey to the Corinthian Believers was that He knew they were saved because he was with them at the time but that now wasn't the time to just sit back and take it all for granted. He begged them not to be lackadaisical about their faith. Yes, they were saved by grace but with salvation comes a responsibility to be an active part of ministry and to do or go wherever the Lord desires. This is how the work of God is accomplished, through willing Believers who make themselves available to be used by Him.
Paul goes on to quote Isaiah 49:8 when he says that now is the day of salvation. He is trying to invoke a sense of urgency and prompt the Corinthians to understand that now is the time of grace. We never know when the day of salvation will come to a close so there is nothing like the present to get busy and join Him in His work. The harvest is plentiful but I wonder, have we too lost that sense of urgency? I pray not . . .
I worked in a local church for years and was always amazed at those who were quick to criticize the workings of and in the church. More often than not it was those who had too much idle time and weren't involved in ministry who did most of the complaining. The Believers who do most of the work within the church don't have time to complain. They are too busy answering God's call to step in and join Him in His work.
Where might God be calling you to join Him where He is working?
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for my salvation. You have changed my life forever and I am so grateful. I owe my life to You! Forgive me for the times when I am so self focused that I neglect to seek Your will instead of my own. I know I have a responsibility to join You and yet I give in to my fleshly desires of comfort and pleasure. I want You to use me whenever and however you desire so I ask that You open my heart and mind and give me a compassionate spirit. Stir up in me an urgency to join You where you are working and a willingness to do as You desire.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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