We Have an Assured Welcome!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (AMP):  Laboring together [as God’s fellow workers] with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain [that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them—do not receive it to no purpose].  ² For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

One thing that makes me excited about this verse is that salvation is equated with deliverance and that every day is the day of salvation!  It is not a destination.  It is a process.  There is so much happy truth in this verse.  For instance, does it not just make your heart happy to know that the grace of God is that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ...keeping and strengthening them?  That feels safe, snug, and so very comforting to me.  The work of divine grace on the heart is a merciful kindness. 

Do you feel you need "keeping and strengthening?"  I do.  It lifts my spirits to be reminded that I am a fellow worker with God.  Is that amazing?  We are begged...not to receive the grace of God in vain; for no purpose.  The blood of Christ was shed for us.  Do not let it be in vain or for no purpose.  Do we realize how important we are to Christ?  God has poured out Heaven for us.  We are not a problem to be solved.  We are children who got lost and ended up in slavery.  We need(ed) deliverance.   

There are days when we look ahead to the day, we are not so excited about it.  We need keeping and strengthening.  There are times where we feel like anything but a fellow worker with God.  Maybe the job is tough.  Maybe there is no job, and things are tougher than not having a job.  Maybe there is a shortage of energy reserves.  Maybe there is boredom.  Maybe there is that self-protective edge that has crept in that just wants to stick your head back under the covers and not come out.  We need keeping and strengthening.  And it is sweetness to be reminded that we are fellow workers and God delivers us because He desires us.  

Now is the time of our favor...assured welcome.  You know when we feel down, disappointed, and discouraged, it does not feel like the time of favor.  Have you ever noticed that when a child feels this way, he usually seeks out a mom or dad to tell them about it.  And if it is a good mom or dad, they are received with favor.  Now, is the time of their favor.  I love this picture of God.  See the prodigal son returning to a father who is and has been waiting for his return...at the end of the driveway...he is looking for his return each day.  It is a time of favor.  Favor is dependent on God.   It is not about us being good or deserving.  It is about being turned to that which is greater than we are...the delivering and sustaining power of God.