I dreamed about a deceased relative last night.
Actually, I had really loved this person, but his lack, neglect, rejection of God through the years finally boasted that he was going to hell and was not worried about it, because that is where his friends are. I tried to explain the futility of his argument. Unless he finally repented and believed on Christ, he will spend eternity with "friends" who neither love him nor can comfort him.
Now is the accepted time... call upon Him (Christ) while He is near.
2 Corinthians 6:2
(2) (For he [God] 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.)
Isaiah 1:18
(18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 55:6-7
(6) Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
(7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
SOBERING THOUGHT...
When we read the last verses of 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, with the first verse of chapter 6, we see that God provides reconciliation through Christ and offers it to the unsaved through the ministry of His children (5:18-20). However, God clearly says that a person has the ability to reject His reconciliation. This is called, receiving the grace of God in vain (6:1). Though the grace of God is not vain (empty, purposeless) it becomes vain to the person who does not choose to live in, and by, the grace of God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 6:1
(1) We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
God said a person can fail or fall short of the grace of God. The word, "fail" or "fall back" indicates that the person has turned from something previously attained.
Hebrews 12:14-15
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
God also said if a person has turned from trusting Christ for salvation, to trusting the works of the flesh, he is fallen from the grace of God.
Galatians 5:4
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
God said, again, a person can be sanctified and then trod under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant as unholy. This person insults the very Spirit of grace (the Holy Spirit), Whom he had previously received (see also Hebrews 6:4-6).
Hebrews 10:28-31
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
2 Corinthians 6:2
(2) (For he [God] 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.)
Isaiah 1:18
(18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 55:6-7
(6) Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
(7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
SOBERING THOUGHT...
When we read the last verses of 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, with the first verse of chapter 6, we see that God provides reconciliation through Christ and offers it to the unsaved through the ministry of His children (5:18-20). However, God clearly says that a person has the ability to reject His reconciliation. This is called, receiving the grace of God in vain (6:1). Though the grace of God is not vain (empty, purposeless) it becomes vain to the person who does not choose to live in, and by, the grace of God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 6:1
(1) We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
God said a person can fail or fall short of the grace of God. The word, "fail" or "fall back" indicates that the person has turned from something previously attained.
Hebrews 12:14-15
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
God also said if a person has turned from trusting Christ for salvation, to trusting the works of the flesh, he is fallen from the grace of God.
Galatians 5:4
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
God said, again, a person can be sanctified and then trod under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant as unholy. This person insults the very Spirit of grace (the Holy Spirit), Whom he had previously received (see also Hebrews 6:4-6).
Hebrews 10:28-31
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
