GRACE OF GOD

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. —II Corinthians 6:1

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” What does it mean to “receive the grace of God in vain?” We are given the answer in I Corinthians 15:1-2— “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw

To believe in vain is to not really come to sincere belief. The gospel was unproductive and did not truly affect the person. The person did not really come to the faith as seen by them not holding firmly to the Word preached to them. Are you and I firmly holding to His Word? Do we truly believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3; I John 2:2)? Do we truly believe that He rose on the 3rd day (I Corinthians 15:4; Romans 1:4)? Do we really believe His Word (I Corinthians 15:2; John 17:17).

We did not receive the grace of God in vain if we truly received the gospel, have taken our stand on the gospel and are holding firmly to the gospel. Otherwise we have believed in vain! May you and I not receive the grace of God in vain and may we encourage others to not receive the grace of God in vain as well.

Dear Father, thank You for the grace You have shown toward me by Your Son, Jesus. I am so grateful that He went to the cross to take the penalty and punishment for my sin. Now, out of sincere and loving gratitude, may I live faithfully for Him!