The Day of Salvation
Regarding “the day of salvation,” the apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian Church wrote:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Paul, here, quotes Isaiah 49:8. The prophet Isaiah looks forward to the “day of salvation” as the time of the future coming Messiah – the Savior of the world. Paul knows that the prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus.
This verse is a follow up verse to the previous verse where Paul pleads with the believers not “to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). This passage is an urgent appeal to people to seek reconciliation with the Lord and mend their broken lives.
So long as Christ mediates for sinners the “day of salvation” will continue. The day of salvation is, the time during which the light of probation lingers. Jesus said, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35).
The Close of Probation
Eventually the day of salvation and mercy will close, and when it does there will be no second chance for those who have ignored God’s grace (Matthew 24:39). Men often procrastinate because they think the day of salvation will continue indefinitely, that worldly affairs need first attention, that happiness must be gained, that it will be easier to forsake sin and believe tomorrow than it is today.
These don’t realize that the only time a person has for salvation and for triumph over any sin is now, and that triumph delayed becomes defeat. This thinking is deadly. Life may end at any time. And that philosophy hardens the heart against God’s voice and the wish for salvation gone; the Holy Spirit may stop calling. Procrastination is ultimately equal to rejection.
Today Is the Day of Redemption
Therefore the apostle Paul urges the believers saying: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). There might be delay in the return of Jesus, but it is the privilege of all Christians to enter into God’s “rest” now (Hebrews 3:7-11) by faith (Hebrews 3:12).
Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Christ doesn’t force Himself upon people. He awaits each man’s decision to accept Him.
And the Savior gives the secret of a victorious life, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me“ (John 15:4). A daily abiding in a living relationship with Christ is necessary for life, growth and fruitfulness. Occasional study of the Scriptures is not enough. To abide in Christ means that the soul must be in daily, constant communion with Jesus Christ through prayer, meditation on His Word, and must live His life (Galatians 2:20).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
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