No Longer Alone

No Longer Alone:

"For he says, ‘In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

I find this verse very intriguing. Paul tells us that God has said, "In the time of my FAVOUR I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." The reason I made the word "favour" stand out is because I would like to take a minute to delve into the Greek treasure chest.

You can see that the verse uses the word favour twice. In looking, I discovered that this is actually two different words. Now, these words are extremely similar, but they are different nonetheless. Why two different words? I feel as though these words convey two articles of the same idea.

The first "favour" is the Greek word δεκτός. This word is an adjective that describes something that is accepted and favoured, but also describes a time in which God is delighted to bless His children with His divine favour.

Now, the second "favour" is the Greek word ευπρόσδεκτος and it's also an adjective. See what I mean? Two adjectives are almost always used to denote the "over and above" qualities of a certain person, place, or period in time (we'll discuss this too). The word ευπρόσδεκτος describes an object that one is pleased to receive from another, or an object that is readily accepted.

Accepted, favoured, received. This is the way God looks upon us! The Creator of the heavens and the whole entire universe is PLEASED to receive us. He readily takes us in His arms and makes us HIS OWN, because we're reconciled by Jesus. How incredible!

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1)

Now to speak of this "time" Paul talks about in Second Corinthians 6:2. The word used here is the word καιρός in the original Greek language. This noun is the word used for a season of opportune events, a period in time denoted by distinguishable conditions, or even a time appointed by the Lord Himself. This can also mean spiritually fruitful seasons and heavenly favoured times. Now you can see why Paul chose this word to describe the "time of God's favour".

Now what does this mean for us? How do we apply what we've learned from this verse to our everyday lives? Well, based on the unveiled treasures in Second Corinthians 6:2, we can see that Paul is blatantly proclaiming that the season of fellowship with God is upon us. Now is the time when God is enchanted to pull us closer to Him, and He is quick to console us in our grievances. He will lift us up and hold us in His mighty, comforting arms.

Because of this awe-inspiring approval God has stamped on us by the blood of Jesus, isolation is a thing of the past. Separation is swept away in the swiftness of His Spirit serenading us. We're not rejected by God, instead Jesus has ransomed us to be accepted by God!

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18)

Jesus endured the despising crowds, the scowling, and the opposition of mankind. Our Messiah is the One who took all the shame and sorrow and pain of being rejected for us. All so that we may be held in favour, and readily redeemed into the reality of intimacy with our Lord. This was the price, and now is the time to receive this gift. Now is the time to live in the light of God's favour.

"Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

Let the Lord shield you in His sheer joy and delight. Be aware of God's continual Presence in your very own life. In this way, shame, abashment, and guilt cannot touch you or thieve away your joy. In the arms of our Father there is intimate fellowship. Come and experience this goodness today!

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)

Live in gladness and peace today, my beloved friends. Remember how faithful the Lord is to deliver us. He is ready to redeem your tribulation and turn it into a triumphant testimony! (I think this is a phrase is going to have to become a new recurring theme!)

-The Introverted Evangelist

Photograph Taken By: John Courville