God has been gracious and mindful of us

Joh 1:16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 

John, the writer of the gospel, declares that in Christ Jesus “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Christ is God’s grace for the sins of the world (Romans 5:8).

Grace is unmerited favour. It means we don’t earn it and we don’t deserve it but it is still given to us free of charge. In Christ, the fullness of grace and truth of God are manifested.

Sin separates man from God (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is eternal death. But the free gift of God, which is grace on God’s part, is eternal life and this eternal life is found only through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). So, grace is free but there is a condition: Man can choose to accept it or reject it. Hence, John wrote: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:14). Man must believe in the Son of God (God’s gift to mankind) to receive eternal life (God’s gift for mankind).

The fullness of Christ is the entirety of Divine attributes and graces. The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ (Colossians 2:9). We receive that fullness when we receive the Son. It doesn’t mean we become like God. It does mean that those who receive Christ will be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29).

What does the expression, “grace for grace” mean? It means, “grace upon grace” (English Standard Version). It means, grace adding on to grace. John continues in next verse: “For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

We are not to infer that, under the dispensation of Law, there was no grace or truth for Old Testament saints; there was. No one kept the Law perfectly and hence there was grace. They were justified by grace like New Testament saints (Romans 4:1-25). David sinned but he was pardoned and received forgiveness. How so? It was by God’s grace (Romans 4:6-8). But Christ is the epitome of God’s grace shown towards mankind. Those under the Old Covenant had grace but we who are under the New Covenant have it more abundantly. In other words, the gift of the law was a gracious thing, a good and wonderful gift from God. But the grace which came through Jesus Christ is even much more glorious and wonderful. This is a grace that replaces that old grace. God was gracious to them under the Old Covenant. God will be seen to be even more gracious under the New. This is “grace upon grace”.

We have received "grace upon grace." That is, grace gratuitously, freely. Now, the question: What are we going to do with this grace? I submit to you that there are two things for us to do:

1. Be Grateful – Be thankful that God loves us and Christ died for us. The scriptures say we must not receive the grace of God in vain (1 Corinthians 6:1). We receive in vain when we return to sin or a state of unbelief. The grace of God exhorts us to change. The change is necessary to prepare for the life in heaven: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

Let us be ever thankful that Christ died for us. Let us live our lives in preparation for the city of God.

2. Be Gracious to others – Our Lord says: “freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). God has been gracious to us; we must be gracious to others: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

How should Christians love one another? Jesus gives the answer: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,” (John 13:34). How Christ loves and forgives us, let us do the same to others.

God has been gracious and mindful of us. Let us go and do likewise.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how lov