2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored you: behold, now is the accepted time… The Lord has had His days of vengeance. How terrible was the hour when He opened the sluices of the firmament that the rain might descend in torrents, and bade the fountains of the great deep rise to meet the descending floods. I. THE GRAND REASON FOR THIS DAY — "Now is the day of salvation." Read the context in order to understand why there is a present day of salvation. This is the day of salvation because "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." There could have been no day of salvation if a Saviour had not appeared. 1. Notice that according to the context this is the day of salvation, because we may now be reconciled to God. "We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2. The plain statement of the twenty-first verse explains it all: "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin." Here is the grand doctrine of substitution. 3. To help us to understand mercy's great expedient still better, the Holy Spirit tells us that the Divine design in Christ Jesus is to make us the "righteousness of God" in Christ. II. THE GLORIOUS DAY ITSELF — for the day of salvation is rich with blessing. 1. I would commend that day because of its fourfold excellence. Read again the verse in which our text stands. Although the words must be regarded as spoken, in the first place, to our Lord, the best expositors say that they are also addressed to His Church in Him. (1) So then, in this day of salvation .our prayer will be heard, "I have heard thee in a time accepted."(2) We are further told that this day help will be given. What does it say? "In the day of salvation have I succoured thee."(3) And then it is added, "Behold, now is the accepted time," so that the third blessing is that coming sinners will be accepted. If you will come to God He will not reject you, whoever you may be. (4) And then the fourth excellence is that it is a time of salvation, You need saving; be glad then that it is salvation's own day. 2. Now, let me notice that this ought to be peculiarly pleasant news to those who are heavily laden with guilt. 3. The truth of our text should also be very encouraging to those who are fighting against inward sin. 4. While this is very encouraging to penitents and to those who are fighting with sin it should be equally cheering to tried believers. 5. And do you not think this truth should encourage all who are at work to win souls for Jesus? III. SOMETHING ABOUT A DARK CLOUD WHICH MAY DARKEN THE CLOSE OF THIS DAY OF SALVATION. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) |
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