Title: Now is the Time to Receive Grace
2 Corinthians (21) Now is the time to receive grace (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
<The non-calculation of dedication >
As the day of Jesus' crucifixion approached, he was eating at the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. Then a woman broke an alabaster jar of perfumed oil and poured it on Jesus' head. What a wonderful, uncompromising devotion. But at that time, people saw her dedication and even enraged that she had wasted expensive perfume. If you don't know the meaning of love, your dedication to love seems like a waste. How can a person who has never loved God understand the heart of giving his all for the God he loves?
Uncommitted people are not satisfied with their lack of commitment and begin to criticize those who are committed to justifying themselves. And what do you use most often? Usually it's like this. “I should use that money to help the poor.” Those who criticized the devoted woman for breaking the alabaster said the same. “Sell the perfume for three hundred denarii and give it to the poor.” How calculating is your life?
To a person who does not know love and has no object to love, the devotion of a loved one for the one they love is a waste of any measure. But love transcends calculations. When someone practices devoted love, saying, “Why did I fall in love like that…” instead of “I wish I had loved like that…” is a shameful self-rationalization of someone who doesn’t know love. True dedication is possible only beyond calculation.
< Presentity of Devotion >
In particular, dedication must be made immediately when the Holy Spirit moves. The Lord died on the cross less than two days after she broke the alabaster and poured perfume on it. If she had broken the alabaster two days before and had withheld the pouring of perfume, she would have lost the opportunity of devotion to the Lord forever. However, she did not miss the chance of life's most precious happiness and blessings by devoting immediately when her heart touched.
Of course, she must have been hesitant when the emotion of devotion came. Even though she is a human being, why didn't she have any hesitation and hesitation while giving her a year's salary or income? She would have been constantly fighting in her mind over the issue. “Should I give it to you? Should I not?” However, she was moved by the Holy Spirit to obey and finally poured perfume on the Lord. As such, when the Holy Spirit moves you, train your immediate obedience. There is not always a time for dedication. That is why the Bible always emphasizes “today” or “now” (verses 1-2).
There are not always times in life when powerful grace is given. There will come a time when we will not be able to do the work of God. So, focus on the time, especially the present time. Of course, serving the Lord in old age is a beautiful thing. How beautiful it is to return before the Lord at the twilight of life. But how much more beautiful it would be if we could serve the Lord's will while we were young.
After Jesus died, Nicodemus appeared with perfumed oil. But the woman who broke the alabaster seized the moment of devotion and poured perfume on her before she died. How different is the meaning? Days and times are not always guaranteed. The night of life is coming soon. So, there may come a time when grace and emotion fade away, and there may come a time when you can no longer run in good health. How difficult and sad is it to devote yourself at that time?
Serving the Lord at night is precious, but serving the Lord during the day is even more beautiful. Serving the Lord in the twilight of old age is beautiful, but how much more beautiful if we serve the Lord with dynamic youth when we are young? Serving the Lord in poverty is beautiful, but how much more beautiful it is to serve the Lord humbly with it when you have enough money and circumstances. Always remember the principle of “presentness of devotion” and be blessed hearts who respond joyfully to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.