October 17, 2017 - - II Corinthians 6:1 Grace and Working with God

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you

not to receive the grace of God in vain.

II Corinthians 6:1 NKJV

What a glorious picture is painted in these few words. Men and women are co-workers with God. At the cross of Jesus Christ the penalty against sin and the curse against creation are answered. Men and women then are called and urged to work in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the peace and blessing of Jesus Christ to all persons.

The grace of God is not given so that we will hole up in our churches, pull up the drawbridges, fill in the moat against newcomers and expect God our Father to minister to our needs. Instead, we face every and any hardship and suffering with this one goal: that as believers, ordinary men and women, we minister the grace of God to those who don't yet know Him. We feed the hungry, in Jesus' Name. We encourage the hopeless with the vision of Christ. Orphans and vulnerable persons receive the love and care in Jesus' Name. We endure hardships, losses, tumults and rejection with the rock solid assurance that God is in charge and will use our debasements for His glorious purposes. We need no reward here other than this: knowing God Who our very great reward.

It is a great and blessed thing to lift up our hands in the sanctuary and worship You, God our Rich Reward. Blessed be Your Name. When the music ends and the blessings have been poured out, then compel us to go out of these places of worship in Jesus' Name through the strength of Your Spirit to share Your grace with those in need. Amen.