The principle of cooperation is vital to personal spiritual accomplishment and to success in Christian service. God does not dispense with man’s voluntary cooperation (DA 535). Man’s capacity for good is completely dependent upon the measure of his cooperation with the divine (cf. John 5:19, 30; DA 297). Christian ministers and workers are not to attempt to labor in their own strength or wisdom, and God does not leave them to their own devices, or to their own resources. This cooperation between Christ and His ambassadors is to be so close and continuous that “they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence” (DA 827). Christ is more than an observer, simply looking on; He is an active partner in all that they do (Phil. 2:12, 13; cf. Heb. 1:14).

 Gr. dechomai, here, “to receive favorably,” “to approve,” “to embrace.” It is possible to give mental assent to the grace of God and yet not be benefited by it. This truth Christ illustrated by the seed that feel on stony ground and among thorns (see on Matt. 13:5-7). Even though the Corinthians had responded to Paul’s earlier exhortations and had been reconciled to God, this was not enough. The work of their salvation, individually, was not yet complete. The Christian life has only begun when men are reconciled to God and thereby enter upon a new relationship with Him. It is true that at the moment of reconciliation they are in a saved state. They stand justified by the grace of God. But the gospel of Christ includes much more than the forgiveness of past sins; it envisions, as well, a transformation of character whose goal is a life into which sin does not enter (see on Rom. 6:5-16; 2 Cor. 1:22; 3:18). The initial reception of God’s grace, which brings justification, is to be followed by a continuous reception of grace, which produces sanctification.

 See on Rom. 3:24.

 That is, without its having served any useful purpose (cf. Isa. 55:10, 11). The important thing is the way man receives grace, and continues to receive it (see on Matt. 13:23; Acts 2:41).

God’s grace is received in vain—

 1. When it is neglected. Persistent inattention may deafen the heart to God’s voice. A guidebook for a journey is of little value to a man who blunders along without studying it or following its instructions.

 2. When it is perverted by using it as a cloak for sin (Rom. 6:1, 15). The unscriptural argument that God’s grace abrogates His law (see on Rom. 3:31) is advanced by some as an excuse for doing as they please instead of obeying God (see Heb. 10:29).

 3. When it is adulterated with human ideas and methods. Men receive God’s grace in vain when they seek to earn merit before God by a punctilious legalism (Rom. 6:14, 15; Gal. 2:21; 5:4; Eph 2:8, 9).

 4. When it is received only by the intellect and is not taken into the life; when it does not purify the heart and lead to full and eager obedience to the Word of God. Comprehension without application is like studying food chemistry but neglecting to eat (Matt. 7:20-24).

If there is no advancement beyond the first step of justification, the grace of God has been received in vain. It has served no useful purpose. It is sometimes necessary to prime a pump in order to start it operating, but the priming is not an end in itself. In the same way, God imparts grace to justify the repentant sinner, but only in order to place him in a position where he can receive continuing grace to help him live above sin. Justification by grace is but the beginning of the Christian life.