Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“In a favourable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ESVUK

‘The new world has a new king, and the king has ambassadors. Paul is not offering a new philosophy, though his message makes robust philosophical sense in its own way. He is not inviting people to try out a new religious experience, though anyone who believes his gospel will have experiences they never imagined. He is going into all the world with a message from its newly enthroned sovereign, a message inviting anyone and everyone to be reconciled to the God who made them, loves them, and has provided the means of reconciliation for them to come back to know and love him in return.’ Tom Wright.

In the light of these great new creation realities, Paul now urges them to make the most of this era of grace. God is saying ‘Yes!’ to all His prophecies and promises (1:20). The day of salvation is here. So, make the most of it. There is a challenge here for all Christians. As we ‘work together with God’ what might not be possible as we draw upon the infinite reservoir of grace in Christ? But above all, we can see it is vital to preach the gospel to the church. In any local congregation there may well be those who have not personally accepted Christ for themselves. They hear the good news over and over without becoming true believers. As Tasker points out, to harbour any belief that we can save ourselves is to receive the grace of God in vain.

”So, as we work together with God, we appeal to you in particular; when you accept God’s grace, don’t let it go to waste.” Tom Wright translation.

”As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,

“At just the right time, I heard you.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.”

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. NLT.

Those who know they ought to be ‘saved’,but keep postponing the decision to some vague and indefinite later, need to face the challenge, ‘If not now, when? As the song says, ‘For all we know, tomorrow May never come. ‘’Now’’ is all we can be sure of.