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3/7 Reading Portions: Exodus 18; Luke 21; Job 36; 2 Corinthians 6

Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.

PARTNERS

Paul had just declared the blessed truth of Christ’s imputed righteousness in salvation; whereas Christ’s righteousness has been placed upon our account by God’s grace:

For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Because of that amazing grace of God, we are regenerated spiritually and actually become new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). If, therefore, we’ve been truly saved, we should not receive the grace of God in vain by behaving as if we’ve never been saved. Paul continued to encourage the Corinthians, and us, with these words:

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

…and this, because Christ has died for us, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us since…

we are the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6:16

To behave contrary to a life full of gospel joy, gospel peace, gospel works, and gospel repentance when we sin is a life no different than the unbelieving, idolatrous world. Spiritually speaking, we are unequally yoked with unbelievers when we behave like them (2 Cor 6:14). Is it possible to slide so far into sin that the saint saved by grace looks like an unbeliever? Certainly. Adam was created perfect— in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10) —yet he received the grace of God in vain by his disobedience. The corruptions still remaining in our mortal flesh remind us that we are not immune.

There is a solution, however. We must work together with Christ Jesus to exalt Him with our lives. To work together with Christ is a synergy, our cooperation with the truth that He has died for you and me. Though Christ’s work to bring our salvation was complete and sufficient at Calvary’s cross, God’s work in us and in others is ongoing until Christ’s return (Phil 1:6); and the Lord allows us to take part in that work. We do so by our faithful surrender to God’s grace and Christ’s atoning work, according to His Word. Oh, what a privilege and blessing is the eternal and infinitely glorious work of the Father in His children! Rejoice that He does not fix you and forget you. You are a useful and blessed vessel in the hand of our precious Lord! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

The time is now, salvation’s come
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
We work with Him as we are one,
United by His cross and Word.