Morning Devotional

2 Corinthians 6:1-3 (NIV) 1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 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.
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

I watched an old movie of the days before the unification of England. The plot of the movie was about a Saxon King who faced a rebellion headed by his Nobles. Once the King heard about this he assembled his army and quickly defeated the uprising on the battlefield. After the victory the King offered peace and forgiveness to anyone who would come before him and renew the pledge of allegiance.  However the time ot do this was very limited. The Nobles and others had to come before the candle the King had lit burnt out.

We often talk about the deadline for receiving God’s gift of salvation, because that offer expires when life here on earth ends. While that statement can be argued, I believe we miss  what Paul is saying if we focus only on the time we have to receive God's grace. When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to instruct them in how to work effectively for God, he quoted the words of Isaiah, a prophet not to the heathen, but to God’s people. These words of warning about missed opportunities are meant for us.                                                                                  

​Paul is reminding us, those who do believe, not to live life in a careless and casual manner. Each day brings all of us opportunities for service to God and others that may never come again. Each day comes with a deadline, each moment to show God's love does come with a deadline for we are not promised tomorrow. Paul is reminding the church, us, that life is uncertain and brief and we must keep busy doing God's work while we live in this world. Paul throws down a challenge to the believers; to live life as Christ taught. Who is your family; who is your neighbor?   Have a great day and I pray I will get the chance to see you this morning. pastor Carl