I remember when my sister was young, she was afraid of going to sleep alone. My mother would sit on the floor in the hall reading a book, so every time my sister would call out, Mom would assure her that she was close. That is understandable for a young child but, if you need your mom to sit in the hallway when you are a teen, that would be weird. You might cry as a kindergartner when dropped off at school, but as a high schooler that would be considered emotional shipwreck. Yet, as “mature Christians” we need our Father to continually assure us everything will be okay, otherwise we fall into panic mode.
When do we cease living like a spiritual child and start living spiritual maturity? It seems that most Christians’ lives are flimsy and quite fragile. The smallest wind blows, and they fall flat. They are “cardboard Christians.”
2 Corinthians 6:1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, “At a favorable time I listened to you, And on a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation.”
Evidently it is possible to receive the grace of God in vain! Vain means no value or producing no results. What is “the grace of God”? As seasoned believers I certainly hope you know the answer. The answer is favor. What is being a favorite? It is being chosen, loved, preferred, extra attention, extra blessings, helped, encouraged, interceded, protected. Have you seen grace or favor or love in vain? We all have. We have seen incredibly talented people neglect their gifts. We know people that are deeply loved but reject that love. We have seen hard earned money given by good hearted people, spent frivolously.
We quickly click our tongue at those that waste opportunities. Yet the greatest gift ever given is God’s grace. What have we to show for God’s grace? Paul seems to believe some have received the grace in vain, or for no profit.
Do not act like cardboard in the rain. The Spirit of God in us is a rock, unfazed by any storm. Stand in faith that God will do everything He has promised, regardless of the storms in our lives. Do not give yourself excuses for not living in His Commands, because we have His Grace!
Blessings!