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2 Corinthians 6:1-13

What Time Is It?

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2 Corinthians 6:1-13

What Time Is It?

The Rev. Alex Stevenson

The story goes that a reporter went to an old folk’s home to do a public interest story. But this was no ordinary old folk’s home. This was a home for retired stand up comedians. As the reporter walked up to the home there was a large porch full of rocking chairs. In the rocking chairs were old men and women just rocking away.

Suddenly one of the old men stopped rocking and he called out a number. At the sound of the number all the people on the porch started laughing. Then another leaned forward in his chair and called out another number and they laughed even more. Some almost fell out of their chairs. This kept going on with brief patches of silence.

The director of activities walked up just then and explained to the reporter: These stand-up comics know every joke that has ever been told. So to save time they have given them all numbers. Instead of wasting time telling the joke, they just call out the number.

The young reporter said, “Let me try.” So with a flourish he stood in front of the people on the porch and said, “25.” No body laughed so he called out a few more numbers and still they did not laugh. Just then an old man put his hand on the young reporter’s shoulder and said, “25.” All the residents on the porch just laughed their heads off. Then he turned to the reporter and said, “It’s all in the timing, son; it’s all in the timing.”

Timing is so important. It is hard to know just when to do things. When to you deliver the punch line? When do you stop cutting bait and start fishing? When do you pop the question? When do you settle down? When do you ask your boss for that raise? When do you tell your boss what he can do with his job? When do you talk to your kids about drugs? When do you say “I Love you?”

So much rides on the timing. If you say the wrong thing at the wrong time it will be taken wrong. The boss won’t give you that raise. The girl may say no. Your kids may not listen. It could all go wrong if your timing is off.

So people often are unsure when to respond to the grace of God. They think, “If I give my life to Christ now I maybe mess thing up for my lifestyle.” Or maybe they think I will wait for a time when I feel more spiritual. They might think “If I start taking my spiritual life seriously now, I might not be able to follow though and I may fail. They might think they are not ready, they are not good enough, or not spiritual enough or know the Bible good enough to serve God. They may even be worried that God is not ready for them!

By the way does anyone know what time it is? Yes, that may be true, but the Bible says that this is also the acceptable time! “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) Not yesterday, not tomorrow, not when you feel more like it. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the time to respond to God’s grace.

Paul says, “We entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.”(2 Cor. 6:1) Paul was writing this letter to the Christians in Corinth. Paul had a rocky relationship with the Corinthians. They had said some thing and he had said some thing and they both had hut each others’ feelings. But God was calling the Corinthians to work together with Paul to spread the Gospel. God by His grace had brought Paul and the Corinthians together and Paul is appealing to them not to ignore that gift. He was telling them now is the time to patch things up and make a go of it! Not later! Because God’s grace is give to us now.

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Have you ever had a rocky relationship with someone? We all have. Young people, do you ever have run-ins with your parents? Parents, do you ever feel exasperated by your kids? Overall I had a good relationship with my father but there were some rough times. He thought I wasn’t doing things right and I though it was none of his business. But we managed to patch things up long before he died and I am glad we didn’t put it off.

Now is the acceptable time to patch up those relationships. It is never the wrong time to say “I Love You,” or “I’m sorry,” or “I forgive you.” Now is the time not later, not when you get around to it, but now!

That is also true of our relationship with God. People of faith sometimes have a falling out with God. Perhaps it is over an event in their lives that hurt them. Maybe it is just a period of spiritual listlessness or depression. Maybe someone hurt them while speaking or acting in “God’s Name.” Maybe they have just fallen out of touch with God.

I entreat you do not accept the grace of God in vain. Now is the acceptable time. Patch up the relationship. Rededicate yourselves to knowing God and serving him. Give Christ a second chance. How may second chances has he given you?

Don’t worry about the timing. God is ready! In fact he has been waiting for you to come around and say, “I Love You,” or “I’m sorry,” or even “I forgive you.” Don’t wait! If you do it might be too late! Time may run out! People die or move away. Opportunities pass. God has given us this time to do his will. Do not accept the gracious gift of today in vain! “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2)

Copyright 2008, Alex Stevenson. Used by permission.