Of Receiving The Grace Of God In Vain.

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

We appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

(2 Corinthians 6:1)

Of Receiving The Grace Of God In Vain. This is the title of this morning's sermon adapted from Philip Doddridge. Our text is 2 Corinthians 6:1: We appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

In the conclusion of the previous chapter, the apostle Paul paints a honorable picture of the ministerial office, primarily apostolic yet applicable to lesser church officers. As Christ’s ambassadors, they urge men to reconcile with God (2 Corinthians 5:20-21), highlighting the grace of the gospel and salvation through Christ, God’s sinless Son, offered as a sin-offering so we might be counted as righteous. He insists it is his noble duty as a minister to implore all, especially the Corinthians, not to receive this grace in vain but to embrace it fully for its benefits. This, Doddridge declares, is the enduring mission of gospel ministers, including himself, to tirelessly preach and pray so those entrusted to his care may not neglect this salvation. As we consider these words of our text, we will,

I. Examine what we are to understand by the grace of God.

II. Consider what it is to receive this grace in vain.

III. Consider some arguments to dissuade you from receiving it in vain.

IV. Hear a short application in closing.

I. Let us examine what we are to understand by the grace of God.

Now the term "grace," in both the Hebrew and Greek languages, properly signifies any favor or benefit received from another. Thus, the contribution that the churches of Corinth and Macedonia sent to the distressed Christians at Jerusalem is referred to as grace; for the Apostle Paul informs them that Titus was chosen to travel with them, bearing that grace, (2 Corinthians 8:19) which could also be translated as "that gift." Consequently, the grace of God must stand for all those favors which we receive from His bountiful hand, encompassing those of a temporal nature, which apply to the present supports and conveniences of life, as well as spiritual blessings in heavenly matters through Christ Jesus our Lord.

However, it is evident that, although the word itself possesses such an extensive meaning, it is here to be understood in a more restricted sense. And so in this passage, it stands for the offers of salvation through Christ, as described in the gospel, along with all the means that God employs to persuade us to accept them wholeheartedly.

1. By the grace of God, we understand the gospel’s offers of salvation through Christ, as the apostle Paul explains, describing God reconciling the world through His Son’s sacrifice for man’s justification and salvation, urging the Corinthians not to receive this grace in vain. Scripture frequently refers to the gospel as the “word of grace” or “gospel of the grace of God,” and it is often contrasted with the Mosaic law as in Romans 6:14 where Paul states that "we are not under law but under grace". In Galatians, he warns against falling from or failing to obtain this grace, while Luke describes how the apostles "urged believers to continue in the grace of God". The gospel is therefore aptly termed the grace of God, reflecting His unmerited mercy and gracious method of salvation. Next,

2. The grace of God encompasses all the means He employs to persuade man to accept the gospel’s salvation, including the apostles’ preaching, termed grace as both a favor to them and a conduit for salvation for us. Through God’s care, the gospel’s foundational histories and doctrines, which clarify its covenant, duties, and motives, are recorded, in the Bible, God's living and active word.

God has also appointed ministers across church history to expound this doctrine of salvationengagingly. The apostle Paul, referring to himself and others as Christ’s ambassadors pleading for reconciliation, underscores this grace, urging man not to receive it in vain.

Additionally, parental and Christian admonitions, Divine Providence—manifested in prosperity to demonstrate God’s care and afflictions to teach heavenly wisdom—and the Holy Spirit’s operations on the heart, awakening conviction, concern, and repentance, are all means of grace.

At times, these operations are so powerful and commanding that the soul is subdued to a willing obedience and established in a steadfast determination of complete devotion to God through Christ; and, through the continuation of these sanctifying influences, it is led from grace to grace until it attains the perfection of glory and happiness, notwithstanding all opposition encountered along the way.

When these impressions are less impactful, they nevertheless remain means that would prove effectual if the obstinacy and perverseness of the sinner did not resist, or, as Scripture expresses it, “quench the Spirit.”

II. We will now consider what it means to receive the grace of God in vain.

Now, we can be sure that one receives the grace of God in vain if he is not at all moved by it; and so does he also, who, although he may experience some fleeting emotions, does not embrace it with a complete consent of heart and a life of obedience.

1. People most clearly receive God’s grace in vain when they do not feel it at all. If one hears about salvation through a Redeemer but does not think he needs this Redeemer, does not care to ask what this salvation is, how it is given, or if he follows its way; if he ignores God’s existence and duties to love and serve Him, living as if God were absent, neglecting prayer and godly fear; if he hears about the eternal happiness or misery that God will give based on his actions, but pays no attention to the eternal world he is headed to, not thinking seriously and often about how he will be received there; if he keeps sinning carelessly, earnestly chasing worldly goals and ambitions, and enjoying earthly pleasures while forgetting God, Christ, and a happy eternity—then this person surely receives God’s grace in vain.

God’s grace has a purpose, but it is to no purpose for someone who essentially ignores it, treating it like a made-up story or a fable just to entertain or give a speaker something emotional to talk about. This, sadly, describes most people who hear the gospel in the modern church. By God's grace may this never be said of us. For people in this state, without doubt, receive the grace of God in vain.

2. Those also truly receive the grace of God in vain who, though briefly moved by it, do not fully embrace it with heartfelt consent and sincere obedience in their lives.

Many today in the modern Christian Church, hearing religion’s truths, acknowledge their miserable state, see Christ as a fitting Savior. But they stop there, thinking that knowing this, agreeing with it, and feeling it briefly is enough to claim gospel salvation—even though their actions show they do not really know or love Christ.

Or, if they realize they are not changed yet, they make hasty plans to turn to God and stop sinning at some later time, but right now, temptations are too strong, and their busy lives do not leave time for such a big, and as they perceive it, difficult change. Jesus calls these people stony ground hearers: they hear the word with joy but have no deep roots, so they fall away when temptation comes (Mark 4:16, 17). It is clear these people receive God’s grace in vain, and you can see why if you think about the gospel’s goal.

It aims to bring fallen man back to God’s favor and eternal happiness in heaven. But scripture shows that those who only feel it briefly, without real, steady obedience, will not be accepted by God or find heaven. Christ gives eternal salvation, but only to those who obey him (Hebrews 5:9). Not everyone who calls him Lord will enter heaven, but only those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 12:22).

To those who follow sin instead of truth, there will be wrath and fury, tribulation and distress (Romans 2:8). When Jesus returns with his mighty angels in flaming fire, he will punish those who do not know God or obey his gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Doubtless, such persons as these, who are thus excluded from everlasting life and salvation, and left exposed to such terrible vengeance, have received the gospel in vain; whatever affection they may have pretended to it; or whatever temporal privileges they may have enjoyed by it.

III. We now come to the main intent of this sermon: to dissuade any from receiving God’s grace in vain by first, earnest encouragements to consider its supreme value; second, its unmerited nature; thirdly, our deep need for it; and lastly, the dire consequences of rejecting it. Let us all seriously consider some plain, compelling arguments, following the Apostle’s blend of affection and reasoning.

1. Consider the profound richness and supreme excellency of this grace, as the inspired writers, enraptured in their descriptions, call it an “inexpressible gift”(2 Corinthians 9:15) and a manifestation of “the great love with which he loved us,”(Ephesians 2:4) bestowed according to “the riches of his grace,”(Ephesians 1:7) described as “the riches of his glorious inheritance”(Ephesians 1:18) and “the riches of the glory of this mystery.”(Colossians 1:27) Its surpassing value, warranting such lofty language, is evident from many considerations, reflecting the gospel’s proposal of God’s grace to mankind.

We can see this from the grandeur of God’s introduction of His grace, initially offering obscure hints of His design for fallen man’s happiness in Genesis, then revealing it through typologies and explicit prophecies. And after four thousand years of anticipation, at the fullness of time, an angel announced His conception, followed by a host of celestial beings proclaiming Him as great joy for all, while John the Baptist prepared and roused the nation of Israel.

When Christ began His public ministry, angels ministered to Him, and God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power,(Acts 10:38) enabling Him to fulfill righteousness and perform astonishing miracles; a heavenly voice declared Him the Son of God, urging the world to pay attention and obey Him. To demonstrate the importance of the salvation He was to offer, He purchased it at the most costly price, submitting to the agony in the garden and on the cross, and laying down His life for the recovery of ours.

God powerfully affirmed this by raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand, then, at Christ’s intercession, poured out the Holy Spirit on the apostles, enabling them to preach in languages they had never learned, heal the sick, restore sight, strengthen the lame, and raise the dead.

With such grandeur, God introduced the gospel, and in its spread, He ensured that many outstanding Christians, wise and pious, devotedly embraced it, even sealing it with their blood.

Can we believe God would intervene so extraordinarily for a trivial matter, or that such magnificent gospel proposals warrant anything less than our serious attention and whole-hearted acceptance? The apostle calls it a great salvation, first declared by the Lord and confirmed by witnesses with God’s signs, wonders, and miracles.(Hebrews 2:3, 4) Scripture’s lofty language exalts this salvation, dismissing worldly greatness, as an apostle declares, I count all things as loss to gain Christ.(Philippians 3:8) Should such grace be received in vain? Are we giving it the honor and it deserves? In the next place,

2. Consider the nature of this salvation, as described in Scripture, and then evaluate its supreme worth and how it should be received. God’s gospel grace pardons countless grave sins against Heaven, saving man from rightful eternal misery and damnation with the devil, and instead offers enduring, profound happiness.

i) The blessings of the gospel surpass mere physical pleasures, stemming not from harvest or vine, but from sublime, rational joys suited to celestial beings—arising from soulful harmony, righteous deeds, and an awareness of God’s benevolence. Through the gospel, man lifts his eyes to heaven with hope and joy, seeing God as his steadfast ally despite past sins. It guides him to delight in the Almighty, living in His praise and love. Yet, this mortal joy is the least of its gifts, for the gospel reveals eternity, bringing life and immortality to light.

Let us examine heaven as described in scripture and decide if it isn’t abundant grace given to man: to be surrounded by God’s magnificent beauty and love, prepared for His cherished creations; to have ones abilities elevated to an angelic level; to constantly explore profound truths and mysteries; to achieve perfect holiness in soul, free of any flawed thought or desire; to live in close fellowship with radiant, exalted beings; to reunite with virtuous loved ones in perfect fulfillment; to converse with the greatest saints and highest angels; and to know this blessed company loves you so deeply that your presence increases their joy, shown through their kind acts toward you.

Above all, to stand before your glorified Redeemer and see your reconciled Father; to feel God’s gentle grace and love enlightening your soul; to devote your enhanced abilities to worthy service; to be warmly accepted and continually blessed with new glory and capacities for worship; and to know this joy will grow forever. This is the gospel’s promised happiness, the radiant grace given by Christ. Let each one decide if it is a great salvation and whether it is right to receive it in vain.

ii) Think about the freedom and richness of this grace as a strong reason not to receive it in vain. We learn that his grace freely justifies us (Romans 3:24). Another verse says gospel blessings are gifts God freely gives us (1 Corinthians 2:12). As we have already seen, this is hinted at when we call the gospel grace. God’s favors to his creatures are free, for he is in need of nothing, being complete in himself, and they, insignificant, add nothing to his glory. Even the favor he shows the brightest angels is free, and it is even more so for us, lowly sinners living in weak bodies and earthy homes. What can we give back for all his gifts? Saying we will always praise and worship him is not enough. That makes us happy, not him, just like the sun’s brightness does not grow because we enjoy its light and warmth.

iii) God’s grace shows its freedom even more when we realize we were not just lowly but also sinful. We had every reason to expect a messenger of punishment, but God sent his Son as a messenger of grace. This becomes clearer when we look at how this Redeemer brings salvation. It is not enough to say it does not demand impossible things, because that would only have been mocking our misery, and could never be properly called grace. Instead, it comes in a way that is not only possible but fair and joyful. God does not make us suffer punishment for years, which we deserved forever. He does not demand we follow difficult rituals like those in Moses’ law or obey the gospel’s rules perfectly without sin. No, the Redeemer’s yoke is easy, and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

If you study the gospel, you will see it only asks for things that make sense and bring joy to a faithful heart, and it only bans things that are base and harmful to us and others. Moreover, because humans are weak, there is space to repent even after sinning again, with a promise of fresh forgiveness.

3) Consider the need you have of this grace, as a vital argument against receiving it in vain. When Christ speaks of his being sent into the world, as the minister of it, he portrays the world in a state of profound misery: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life(John 3:16). Consider your own situation, and the aptness of this picture will become evident. We are not self-sufficient beings endowed with even a modest degree of inherent happiness, though even if that were the case it would be foolish not to pay attention to proposals for its enhancement. Rather, we are impoverished and dependent creatures, wholly subject to God’s will, and reduced to nothingness without his grace.

Furthermore, we are clearly not innocent but guilty beings, deserving God’s anger. You cannot deny you are under his authority and must follow his rules. So, carefully consider and look at how you’ve acted toward him; check your conscience and see where you stand. Right now, you are being tested, and soon God will call you to his awesome judgment seat to face the consequences of your actions. Are you ready for that close examination? Will you boldly say you have never wronged him? Thousands of sins you know about, plus many more you have forgotten, all recorded by God, will prove that claim false.

If you have broken God’s law and face his justice, can you endure the penalty? Can you bear endless suffering in burning flames? If not, then earnestly consider, what do you offer to stop judgment? What can you give except the satisfaction and atonement of a blessed Redeemer, the grace of God provided through the gospel? You admit you need it and are completely lost without it. Will you still receive it in vain? Will it be wasted when forgiveness is offered to doomed wrongdoers, and mercy and eternal salvation to miserable, guilty people leaving this world—helpless and exposed—into another, where, without this mercy, strict justice will grab and ruin them? May God prevent it. But,

4. Consider the grim outcome of rejecting gospel grace. A time will come when you need it, but persistent neglect will bar you from its benefits, worsening your condemnation. Continued refusal offers no hope, as God confirms: no work exists in the grave (Ecclesiastes 9:10), only judgment after death (Hebrews 9:27), based on this life’s deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10), fixing your eternal state (Hebrews 6:2). Thus, receiving it in vain leaves you without help—sinking under sin, facing unending torment. Is this not dreadful? Worse still awaits you who reject it: unlike heathens, your misery grows, for he who knows and disobeys earns a more severe punishment (Luke 12:47). Christ says it will be more tolerable for Sodom than gospel despisers (Matthew 10:14, 15). God will repay your insults with severe plagues; your own regret over lost chances and ignored pleas will torment you, as you look upon now forever unattainable bliss.

IV. We close with a few words of application. And here let us be encouraged,

1. To seriously ask ourselves whether or not we have received the grace of God. Since this question is so vitally important, we should examine it carefully and thoughtfully. If the gospel has not touched you at all so far, the answer is clear and simple. But we must not depend only on fleeting feelings we might have right now. Instead, we should figure out if we are safe by looking at how committed our hearts are to God, and decide if that commitment is real by seeing how much it shows up in our everyday lives.

2. Should your examination reveal that you have received God’s grace in vain, think about your guilt and the danger you are in, as we have just heard. Take seriously the reasons given to you; knowing both the awful judgment of the Lord and the kindness of our God, and do not keep wasting time. Instead, use the strength of the grace God is already giving you to ask him for more, until it leads you to a real change that saves you and entitles you to endless joy.

3. If we have received God’s grace in a saving way, let us praise God’s goodness for setting us apart from many others, making this grace our salvation while it brings death to others. Let us feel humbled that, even though we have not totally ignored God’s grace, we have not grown as much as we could have in grace. Let us be motivated by God’s strength to fix what is wrong and add what we have been missing. Let us work hard to be more holy and helpful than we have ever been. Let us value God’s grace more and do our very best to awaken others to a sense of their duty and eternal self-interest, following the example of the blessed Apostle in the text.

If we have received God's grace as we ought, let each of us in our respective roles urge and beg others not to receive it in vain.