The Day Of Salvation

August 17

Job 13-14

Psalm 92:8-15

Proverbs 20:20-21

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

The Day of Salvation

“And working together with Him, we also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain--for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold now is ‘the day of salvation.’” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2  LSB

In this verse, Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:8 emphasizing that God’s offer of salvation is available at the present moment and we should not take it for granted.  We do not know what tomorrow holds.  “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’”  James 4:13-15 LSB  “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1 LSB We are not promised tomorrow.  We cannot put off for tomorrow what we have the opportunity to do today.  God’s offer of salvation is available to us now, and we should accept it when we have the chance.  It is tempting to think that we have a lifetime ahead of us so we will put off a decision till later, but we don’t know that.  Accidents, illnesses, etc. can happen suddenly without warning and we may not have another opportunity.  There is an even more scary reality.  If we continue to say no to God after He has given us repeated opportunities to accept Him, He will finally give us over to our own desires.  “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:28 NIV  He will not force us to accept Him.  He has given us free will and He will honor our wishes. 

For the believer, this verse should remind us that if we have the opportunity to tell others about Jesus, we should not put it off.  We may not have another opportunity.  We cannot take for granted that we will get another chance to tell someone about the difference Jesus has made in our lives.  If God gives us an opportunity, we need to take it.  If God lays someone on our heart that we need to pray for or that we need to share the gospel with, we need to do it as soon as we can.  Life is short and the days are slipping by quickly. Seize the day.  Be bold!  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”  Romans 1:16 LSB   Now is the acceptable time!  Today is the day of salvation!