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.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Most of the Corinthians were saved but hindered by legalistic teaching regarding sanctification. Others were not truly saved but deceived by a gospel of works, which was being taught by the false teachers. Paul’s proclamation of the gospel of grace would not have been having its desired effect, and Paul would have had cause for serious concern that his many months of ministry at Corinth were for nothing. Paul was passionately concerned that the Corinthians adhere to the truth because it was God’s time to save and they were messengers for helping to spread that message. “Now is the day of salvation.” Paul applied Isaiah 49:8 here to the present situation. There is a time in God’s economy when He listens to sinners and responds to those who are repentant. And it was and is that time now. However, there will also be an end to that time, which is why Paul’s exhortation was so passionate. Martin Luther gave this analogy regarding justification: When we are justified, it is as though a doctor has just administered a sure and certain remedy for a fatal disease. Though the patient may still endure a temporary struggle with the residual effects of his illness, the outcome is no longer in doubt. The physician pronounces the patient cured even though a rehabilitation process must still be carried out. So it is with our justification. In Christ, God pronounces us just by the imputation of the merits of His Son. Along with that declaration, God administers something to us; He gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins immediately to work within us to bring us to holy living. The New Testament contains a ringing paradox with respect to sanctification. Philippians 2:12-13 say, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for God is at work within you both to will and to do.” There are two agents working here. We are called to work and God promises to work as well. We call this activity synergism. It is a cooperative effort between God and man. Are you cooperating with God in the process of sanctification or are you depending on Him to do it all?
Source: S C Ball December 1, 2023
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