FULLNESS OF GRACE

“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” – John 1:14

And of His Fullness have we all received, and GRACE for GRACE (Jh. 1:16). Full and abounding Grace is ours in Christ! Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward men; but it is more far-reaching than that! Grace is the favor God is able to show to humanity by virtue of Christ’s death for us: “by grace you have been saved” (Eph.2:8). The Thrice-holy God could not save sinful humanity simply by His mercy and love. The claims of divine righteousness had to be satisfied before He could save us, therefore Christ died in the place of the ungodly: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom.5:6). God’s Word – in the Person of His Son Jesus – stepped out of eternity and into time as the Expression of His Grace: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (Jh.1:14a). God literally became a human being and lived among us. John identified His glory as the Father’s very glory: “and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of GRACE and truth” (Jh.1:14b).

Our redemption is thus a product of the Fullness of His Grace; but that is not its end. Grace is rich and deep in meaning and function. Grace stands eminent and distinct from the law: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jh.1:17). Grace surpasses works: “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Rom.11:6). Works warrant wages; grace cancels debts (Rom.4:4-5). Salvation cannot be earned by keeping the law or doing any good deeds. God chose us by grace: “there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Rom.11:5b). He justified us “freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom.4:24). Approaching God in prayer demands that we “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16). We are admonished “to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). We grow in grace as we grow in the knowledge of Christ (2Pet.3:18). God’s Grace is boundless and limitless!

Another unique function of grace is that ‘Grace is our Teacher’! Grace is not a passive partner but an active instructor all through the pilgrim’s progress. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and instructs us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age as we look “for the blessed hope and glorious return of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit.2:11-14). Even Jesus, as a “Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom” by virtue of the Grace of God upon Him (Lk.2:40). God has given to His Redeemed this unlimited, ever-flowing new covenant fountain to abide with us all through Time and to gloriously usher us into the bliss of eternity. You can be nourished from the Fountain of Grace as much as you would ever desire, and it can never run dry or cease flowing. In the Fullness of His Grace, you can “find grace to help” whatever your need may be (Heb.4:16).

There are no limits to God’s Grace you can partake of: His Saving Grace (Eph.1:8-9); Standing Grace (Rom.5:2); Serving Grace (Heb.12:28); Sufficient and Strengthening Grace (2Cor.12:9); Transforming Grace (1Cor.15:10); Abounding Grace (2Cor.9:8,14); Great Grace (Acts 4:33); Manifold Grace (1Pet.4:10); Reigning Grace (Rom.5:17); and exceedingly abundant Grace (1Tim.1:14). Simply make sure that you are not stagnant as regards grace. May you not receive the grace of God in vain (1Cor.6:1)! His grace shall never be disgraced or wasted over your life. Grace will bring His Glory into the story of your life, and give your destiny meaning!