Time of God's Favor ~ Day of Salvation
Photo: Courtesy of Ray Bilcliff ~ www.trueportraits.com This morning the Lord led me first thing to 2 Corinthians, chapter 6 where it speaks about the time of God's favor and day of salvation. The timing of the day of salvation is closely tied to the day of God's favor obviously and NOW is that time!
"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." - 2Co 6:1-2 NIV
How is God's favor being expressed today? Just look around you and see the explicit beauty of his creations. No matter where you live in the world, if you live long enough you will experience seeing the beauty of a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds, or a beautiful sunset. Or you may be fascinated by the intrinsic design of a dragonfly that delicately balances itself in midair hovering over a single blade of grass or the leaf of a tree.
The apostle Paul said to the Corinthian congregation that God's grace was not to be taken for granted. Why? Because Jesus dying on the cross was not for nothing. He reconciled the once broken relationship between God and man. Our sins are no longer counted against us. Glory Hallelujah! Christ opened the way that we could experience a one on one relationship with the Most High God, the creator of all the universe.
"17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2Co 5:17-21 NIV
He went on to say that whether good times or bad times, time of testing or persecution, time of prosperity or time of need we can experience God's favor. "4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ... 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." - 2Co 6:4, 10 NIV Not only did Paul speak about the reconciliation between God and man but he also spoke about our heavenly dwelling place which is the spiritual dwelling place, our spiritual body. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord he said. This statement is quite provocative in itself because it is suggesting that we now have a spiritual body that is in heaven and one day we will take off the physical body and be clothed with the spiritual body which is eternal. How is this possible you may ask? God made it all possible.
"1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ... - 2Co 5:1-6, NIV
So in conclusion, we see God's favor NOW today in all the beauty of his creations and through his means of salvation which is Christ reconciling us back to God, ours sins no longer counted against us, the spiritual body (temple) we now have as a means to communicate with God today (compare John 4: 23,24) and it culminating with the promise of eternal life ~ if we put our faith and trust in Jesus. This is the day of God's favor. It's his will NOW as it was in the beginning with Adam to dwell in communion among His creation only it's in the spiritual realm for now. It is seen through eyes of faith but the day is coming when we will see him face to face. God who is a Spirit is pleased when we worship him with spirit (through the tabernacle of our heart) and (with) truth (his Word, the bible). Compare John 4: 23-24
"23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."" - John 4:23-24 NKJV
What is truth? Someone asked Jesus that very same question. He said, God's Word is truth. Compare John 17:17
So, like King David as recorded in the Word at 1Chronicles 16: 23-36, let us worship the Creator NOW and forever by singing praises and magnifying his great name YHWH through YesHuWaH (Jesus). He is truly WORTHY of ALL Praise, Glory and Honor! Amen!
"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." - 2Co 6:1-2 NIV
How is God's favor being expressed today? Just look around you and see the explicit beauty of his creations. No matter where you live in the world, if you live long enough you will experience seeing the beauty of a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds, or a beautiful sunset. Or you may be fascinated by the intrinsic design of a dragonfly that delicately balances itself in midair hovering over a single blade of grass or the leaf of a tree.
The apostle Paul said to the Corinthian congregation that God's grace was not to be taken for granted. Why? Because Jesus dying on the cross was not for nothing. He reconciled the once broken relationship between God and man. Our sins are no longer counted against us. Glory Hallelujah! Christ opened the way that we could experience a one on one relationship with the Most High God, the creator of all the universe.
"17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2Co 5:17-21 NIV
He went on to say that whether good times or bad times, time of testing or persecution, time of prosperity or time of need we can experience God's favor. "4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ... 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." - 2Co 6:4, 10 NIV Not only did Paul speak about the reconciliation between God and man but he also spoke about our heavenly dwelling place which is the spiritual dwelling place, our spiritual body. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord he said. This statement is quite provocative in itself because it is suggesting that we now have a spiritual body that is in heaven and one day we will take off the physical body and be clothed with the spiritual body which is eternal. How is this possible you may ask? God made it all possible.
"1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ... - 2Co 5:1-6, NIV
So in conclusion, we see God's favor NOW today in all the beauty of his creations and through his means of salvation which is Christ reconciling us back to God, ours sins no longer counted against us, the spiritual body (temple) we now have as a means to communicate with God today (compare John 4: 23,24) and it culminating with the promise of eternal life ~ if we put our faith and trust in Jesus. This is the day of God's favor. It's his will NOW as it was in the beginning with Adam to dwell in communion among His creation only it's in the spiritual realm for now. It is seen through eyes of faith but the day is coming when we will see him face to face. God who is a Spirit is pleased when we worship him with spirit (through the tabernacle of our heart) and (with) truth (his Word, the bible). Compare John 4: 23-24
"23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."" - John 4:23-24 NKJV
What is truth? Someone asked Jesus that very same question. He said, God's Word is truth. Compare John 17:17
So, like King David as recorded in the Word at 1Chronicles 16: 23-36, let us worship the Creator NOW and forever by singing praises and magnifying his great name YHWH through YesHuWaH (Jesus). He is truly WORTHY of ALL Praise, Glory and Honor! Amen!
"I tell you now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2b Photo Ray Bilcliff ~ www.trueportraits.com "23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. 24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. 34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD." - 1Chron 16:23-36 KJV
30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. 34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD." - 1Chron 16:23-36 KJV
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