“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.” (John 1:16-17, NKJV)
Dear Reader,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7b; 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1b; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 1:3)
Wow! As you just read, in virtually every letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches, he began with the salutation, “Grace to you…” So, I begin by saying. “Grace and peace to you!”
In the New Testament, which originally came to us in the Greek language, the word translated “grace” in English is charis. It is defined as “unmerited favor,” i.e. favor that can never be earned.
John 1:16-17 teaches us that this excellent grace – as opposed to the Law that came through Moses – is a free gift (Romans 6:23). The Lord Jesus Christ freely gives this gift to us when we make Him our personal Savior. We do this by believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9).
This week, a prominent pastor/theologian from California passed away. Although I have great respect for many of the doctrinal orthodoxies that he upheld, and the courageous, uncompromising stands that he took, I always had somewhat of a problem with his teachings.
Based on the names of his various ministries, he apparently intended to focus on God’s grace. The problem was that on any given occasion that I heard him speak, the availability of God’s excellent grace was hard to find in his message! Consequently, one would be hard pressed to conclude that God’s grace is “greater than all our sin” (Cf. Romans 5:20), as so beautifully expressed in the old hymn. He presented God as a rigid, exacting deity who left no room for our human weaknesses.
Of course, the apostles reminded us that we should never abuse God’s grace by continuing in behaviors, attitudes, and views that are clearly in opposition to God’s Word. By doing so, we cheapen that wonderful grace.
But among many “fundamentalists,” there seems to be an absence of understanding of the “AMAZING GRACE” of God in Christ Jesus. This also cheapens it (maybe even worse!) by mitigating the efficacy of Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Of course, we must “Repent and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). But legalistic, guilt and shame-producing “repent or perish” teaching (especially when directed to those who have already put their faith in Jesus!) utterly cheapens – nay, negates – the work that He did on the cross. The end result is that we return to an unattainable, self-righteousness – the antithesis of grace.
A Powerful Verse of Scripture
John 1:16 is one of the most beautiful and powerful verses in the New Testament with regard to the abundant and inexhaustible grace of our loving God. “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”
“Grace for grace” (Greek: χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος) can also be translated, “grace in opposition to grace,” or “grace instead of grace.” What does this mean? It means that even when we have been so disobedient that He (if He were like us!) should be inclined to cut off His supply of grace, instead of giving us grace, He gives us…GRACE!
Let us praise and thank God for His excellent grace!
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)
