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. 1 As God’s fellow 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. 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 (NIV)
Paul here urges the Corinthians (as well as present day readers and all in between) not to spurn the grace of God by disbelieving the message of the cross which epitomized the love of God and of Christ. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Every. Last. One. Of. Us. The payment for our sin is death. But the gift of God through the cross of Christ opened up the door of God’s favor toward the repentant sinner - all who would believe in Jesus. God, being holy and just, could not reconcile sinful humanity apart from the blood of His sinless Son. God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us. Believers in Jesus now stand complete in His righteousness and enjoy the favor and salvation of God. It is not enough simply to know of this great gift, we are to receive and believe it.
Paul implored the Gentiles and his fellow Jews to be reconciled to God and enjoy the favor and salvation of what He so willingly gives. Abundant life and favor in your desert of the here and now and eternal life later. Let us then approach in confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). There is nothing like the present for the Present. The operative word is “Now”.
“Oh! that I had a trumpet voice to warn you. Oh! while you are dying, while you are sinking into perdition, may I not cry to you; may not these eyes weep for you! Take to heart, I beseech you, the realities of eternity. Oh, turn, turn! Why will you die? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and ye shall be saved.” Charles H. Spurgeon
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalms 90:17 (NIV)