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… Here you find — 1. A note of attention — Behold! 2. An object to which the attention is called. 3. The period in which to act-now, not yesterday, that is past; not to-morrow, that is to come. I. THE GOSPEL PERIOD IS HERE CALLED A DAY. The gospel period is called a day, because — 1. It discovers that which would have been otherwise concealed in darkness. In this day we discover the perfections of the Deity, the nature of sin, the worth of a Saviour, the only way by which sinners can be delivered from hell, and brought to heaven. The world has had many sorts of days, but never one like this before. 2. It is affected by some bright luminary. What makes a day — the stars, the moon? No; the sun. And what makes the spiritual day — ministers, the church? No; the Sun of righteousness. The man that is without Christ is in a state of darkness and death, and, if he dies, must perish. 3. It is time for people to work. "Go, my son, work in my vineyard." 4. It is a limited time. "Oh, Jerusalem, if thou hadst known, at least in this thy day," etc., etc. There is an end to days. II. THE PROPERTY OF THIS DAY. God has had many sorts of days; He had a day to create, a day to preserve, a day to afflict, a day to redeem, a day to judge; but the day in my text is a day of salvation. It would not have been a surprising thing if it had been a day of destruction, of affliction; but it is a day of salvation. And this implies the existence of sin; there would have been no need for such a day if sin had not caused it. This day includes the gracious provision of the Father's love — the Son's merit, and the Spirit's grace. Make much of this day. 1. It is a necessary salvation. It is not necessary for a man to be rich, to have health, to be surrounded with friends, but it is necessary to have this salvation, or he is lost for ever. 2. It is a spiritual salvation. Not such as the Jews had in the Red Sea-not such an one as Daniel in the lions' den. This saves the soul from sin, and raises man to the enjoyment of God. 3. This salvation is a suitable one. It is just what we stand in need of. It required infinite wisdom to contrive it, infinite merit to procure it, and infinite grace applies it to the soul. 4. This salvation is a free one. Christ is free, and the grace of the Spirit is free. 5. This salvation is a great one, It is as great as the requirements of Divine justice; as great as the misery of man. It is adequate to all its objects. It was the great God contrived it, it had a great Saviour to accomplish it, a great Spirit applies it, and a great multitude will be saved by it. 6. It is a glorious salvation. God saves without a spot on His throne; without a speck on His character; here is God glorified in justifying the man. 7. This salvation is a perfect one; there is no deficiency in it. It does not save from some sin, but from all sin. There is nothing wanting for God, for man, for life, for death, and an eternal world. 8. This salvation is an everlasting salvation, grace, and glory.Conclusion: From our subject we see — 1. The goodness of God in providing such a salvation. 2. The misery of man, that required or rendered it necessary. 3. The awful state of the man that despises or neglects this salvation. (Theo. Jones.) 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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