“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” II COR. 6:2
THE importance of opportunity is readily acknowledged, and generally if not universally acted upon, with regard to temporal things. The seafaring man with prudence and diligence avails himself of the winds and the tides. The husbandman, when the precious produce of the field is to be secured, is all anxiety and eagerness, lest he should lose a shining hour; and hence it early became a proverb, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” There are interesting conjunctures and peculiar seasons which never return; but according as they are seized or neglected, decide the reputation and the condition of a man for life. But here we have an opportunity announced, as superior to every other opportunity, in its relations and consequences, as the soul is superior to the body, and eternity to time–an opportunity to gain acceptance with God, and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
This “now” takes in the whole period of the gospel dispensation, or the duration of Christ. At present he is exalted at the right hand of God to be a Prince and a Saviour; to give repentance unto Israel and remission of sins. He is the great High-priest over the house of God, to introduce our persons and services; and while we are reconciled by his death, we are saved by his life. For he is now living a life of office, as well as of glory. But this will not continue always. It is commensurate only with the continuance of the world. “Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father.” This, in the whole of it, is a very extensive period. It has continued long. But this can only encourage us with regard to mankind in succession. It is delightful to think that what those have found the Saviour to be who went before, those also will find him to be that shall come after us; for he is “the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.”
This “now,” therefore, is to be considered as the period of life (until Judgment Day!). Patients have been recovered when they seemed incurable, and have been sent back from the very borders of the grave. Persons have been resuscitated when the functions of nature had ceased, and the principle of life seemed extinguished. So some have been saved at the eleventh hour, and they have adored the long-suffering of God, which proved their salvation; but the redemption of the soul is precious, and after our present state ceaseth for ever. If there be hope to persons then, it is among the reserves of Divine goodness. They ought to be called the merciful doctors who, knowing the terrors of the Lord, persuade men to flee from the wrath to come. But in this view how precious and all-important is life:
“Life is the time to serve the Lord,
The time t’ insure the great reward;
And while the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return.”
And how instantly and zealously should we avail ourselves of the only season; especially when we consider how short, the continuance of it is. Another of the years, that measure the whole extent, is gone, And Oh, my soul, how many strokes remain? There is but a step between me and death:
“Great God, on what a slender thread
Hang everlasting things!
The eternal state of all
Upon life’s feeble strings!”
But this “now” takes in, as distinguished from life at large, every period peculiarly favorable to religion. Youth is such a period. The young have fewer of the cares that perplex and engross us as we plunge deeper into the concerns of this life. Their consciences, though defiled, are not yet seared as with a hot iron. Their memories, though limited, are not yet choked up with the lumber of the world. Their affections are warm; their strength is firm; their connections are as yet optional; life is fresh; nature is inviting; and amidst all these advantages, Grace says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth; while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, ,when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.”
Such a period is the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man. It befriends his civil comfort, his bodily health, and his mental improvement. But it chiefly regards his spiritual and eternal welfare. What a gracious appointment, to draw us once a week out of the world for a whole day–to afford us leisure to examine our character and condition before God–to remind us, in the midst of all other engagements, that one thing is needful–and to urge us, by a thousand motives, to “choose that good part which shall not be taken away from us” How many have found “the holy of the Lord ” an accepted time, and a day of salvation!
Affliction is also such a period. It matters not from whence our troubles arise; they are designed for our profit: “In their affliction they will seek me early.” They also naturally tend to impress the mind and soften the heart. They show us the evil of sin, and the vanity of the world; and the need we have of a better home than earth, and a better arm than flesh. Many have been chosen in the furnace of affliction. How foolish to wish to get our trials removed without their being sanctified! How lamentable to lose the benefit of such a season!
Such is a period of religious excitement. It is said in the gospel, “The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” And when we see others delivered from the stings of a guilty conscience, and the tyranny of their passions; becoming meek and patient and peaceful and happy, does it not powerfully call upon us to pray to the God of all grace, “Bless me, even me also, O my Father?” Such is the period in which conscience has been awakened and impressed. Perhaps you have had, more than once, such views and feelings, that it has been said of you, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” It was thus with Felix when he trembled. He felt then as he had never felt before, and as he never felt afterwards. But instead of cherishing the conviction, he endeavored to banish it, and succeeded. “Go thy way,” said he to the preacher, “for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee.” That season never came. He saw Paul indeed several times afterwards, but not a word was said concerning the faith (of) Christ. Beware! your impressions may die away, and never revive. But can you complain? Did you not oppose or neglect them? Beware! All good is from God, but he will not be trifled with. “My Spirit will not always strive with man.” “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.”