The Acceptable Time

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 24.

The Acceptable Time

"The Acceptable Time."—"Behold, now is the accepted time" reads our common version in 2 Cor. 6:2. The thought seems to be conveyed, and the text is generally used in that sense, that now is the accepted time to yield to Christ, and receive the Gospel. And while that is doubtless true, that is not the teaching of the text. The apostle is addressing those who are Christ's, whom he entreats as workers with him to "receive not the grace of God in vain." To receive it not in vain is to "labor." 1 Cor. 15:10. It is for this the apostle pleads; not that his brethren in Corinth should accept Christ Jesus, but that, having accepted Christ Jesus, they should labor for souls; for as God heard them "at an acceptable time," and in a "day of salvation succored them" so it was the acceptable time for them to labor for others. And so the Standard American Revised Version reads: "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation," for others. It is the acceptable time for you, dear soul. Are you Christ's? Then work for Him; seek to win souls.