Topical Bible: Grace: Not to be Received in Vain

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The concept of grace is central to Christian theology, representing the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of not receiving this grace in vain. This notion is particularly highlighted in 2 Corinthians 6:1, where Paul exhorts believers: "As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain."

Understanding Grace

Grace, in its essence, is the divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. It is a gift from God, not earned by works but freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Receiving Grace in Vain

To receive grace in vain implies a failure to respond appropriately to the gift of grace. It suggests a lack of transformation or a neglect of the responsibilities that accompany the reception of grace. Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 6:1 serves as a call to action, urging believers to live lives that reflect the transformative power of grace.

Living Out Grace

The proper response to grace involves a life of obedience, holiness, and service. Titus 2:11-12 teaches, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." This passage underscores that grace is not merely a passive gift but an active force that instructs and empowers believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling.

The Role of Works

While grace is not earned by works, genuine grace produces good works as its fruit. James 2:17 reminds us, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." The evidence of grace in a believer’s life is seen in their actions, which are motivated by love and gratitude towards God.

Warnings Against Complacency

Scripture warns against complacency and the danger of taking grace for granted. Hebrews 12:15 cautions, "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many." This warning highlights the need for vigilance and perseverance in the faith, ensuring that grace is not received in vain.

The Call to Persevere

Believers are called to persevere in their faith, continually relying on God’s grace to sustain them. Philippians 2:12-13 encourages, "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now even more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose."

In summary, the exhortation not to receive grace in vain is a call to live a life that reflects the transformative power of God’s grace, characterized by obedience, good works, and perseverance in faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:1
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That it is no Fault of the Divine Goodness if we have not a Most ...
... would have received it in a useless and fruitless way, so we receive the grace of
God in vain, when we receive it at the gate of our heart, and not within the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi that it is.htm

Faith is not the Pure Gift of God, but Depends Partly on the Grace ...
... not have possessed the alms unless he had received it by ... receive, that "he can have
the alms, or not have it ... of which far more acts of Divine grace are required ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxvii vii faith is.htm

Of Gratitude for the Grace of God
... the lowlier are they in themselves; full of grace and heavenly glory, they are not
desirous of ... God all the good which they have received, "seek not ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x of gratitude for.htm

That Ghostly Song Accords not with Bodily: and the Cause and the ...
... can be shown, and shall halse the degrees of grace. And hereof he has received and
boldly say whatever he ... For they trow not that the lovers of endless love ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iii that ghostly song.htm

When Christ visited us in his Grace, He did not Come to what did ...
... V Chapter II."When Christ visited us in His grace, He did ... and invisible man, for
a spirit has not bones nor ... for the use of men, and having received the Word ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii when christ visited us.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 53, "Except Ye Eat the Flesh ...
... may not say it in vain! For men there are unthankful to grace, attributing much
to poor and disabled nature. True it is, when man was created he received great ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxi on the words.htm

Sixteenth Proposition of Arminius
... In reference to those antecedents, whether a law was imposed on man, to be observed
without grace, or not, and whether man received, in his ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/sixteenth proposition of arminius.htm

The Tenth Chapter: Appreciating God's Grace
... Give Him thanks, then, for His grace, but place upon ... Since they do not desire vainglory,
they are full of ... to God whatever good they have received; they seek no ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the tenth chapter appreciating gods.htm

Grace and Graces
... that each be faithful in the administration of what he has received, and not seek
to ... the commandment is rested on the manner in which the grace is exercised ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/grace and graces.htm

John Chapter xv. 15, 16
... of our souls in the future, yet with the pledge we have received, it may ... if merit
preceded: but it is of grace: and therefore that grace did not find, but ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxvi john chapter xv.htm