The concept of grace is of the utmost importance, not only for the Christian, but for the human. Grace is paramount in understanding the gospel. The fact that grace is associated with God indicates that it is in His nature to extend supernatural favor to undeserving people. God predicated the incarnation of Christ, the cross, the hope of our salvation, and so much more on the concept of grace. Grace imparts forgiveness where judgement was deserved, makes possible friendship with God where enmity once existed, and enables us to live, both physically and spiritually. God’s grace is at the core of everything you are.
So as the main theme of Paul’s writings, you would think that the subject of grace would be found everywhere in the gospels, scattered throughout the teachings of Jesus. A small study quickly provides an intriguing insight… Jesus never uses the word grace. Not even once. Why is this? I believe the answer is found in John 1, the only place in the gospel we find the word grace used.
John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus didn’t need to preach any sermons on God’s grace, because he was the full embodiment and expression of the grace of God. Jesus’ greatest sermon on God’s grace was His own life; His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension all declare the unsearchable grace of God. In Jesus dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). Jesus, by nature, was brimming and overflowing with grace because he was expressing the very character of God. So where did all this grace that is in Jesus end up? John continues:
John 1:16-17 – And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Did you catch that? Like a vessel that can’t contain its volume of water, the grace of God came pouring out of Jesus and landed upon us. Not only that, but the language indicates a continuous, inexhaustible flow of grace that emanates from the person of Jesus. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “Sorrow upon sorrow.” This saying indicates that once a sorrow fades, a new one is there to take its place. This is how the law of Moses worked. As a young Jewish boy, John would have felt the law, “Burden upon burden.” Demands and weights that no one, even on their best day could live up to. Then he met Jesus and experienced, “Grace upon grace”. In every weakness, there was more grace. For every sin, there was more grace. For every overwhelming moment, there was more grace. In every failure, there was more grace. In every trial and temptation, there was more undeserved, unmerited and unearned grace!
Jesus is still the ONLY source where you can find a boundless supply of God’s grace. When you approach the throne of God’s mercy and grace in your time of need, you will find that for every gap in your life there is grace enough to fill it. What current gaps in your life need grace today? Ask Jesus, and from His fullness receive all the grace you need to continue on. It not only blesses the heart of God to give you grace, but the ultimate end of His grace giving is His glory (Ephesians 1:5-6). Come boldly to Him today!
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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