JOHN 1:14-18 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE FULLNESS OF HIS GRACE. We need it each day and in each moment of each day. We cannot live without it. We accomplish nothing of eternal value unless we have it. It is the only thing which gives us life, hope, liberty, and joy. Refuse or neglect it, and life in this world and the next is nothing but misery, sorrow, and without purpose. Refuse or neglect it, and we have no power or strength to live above the difficulties and tough circumstances in this life – none. This “it” is one of the dominant themes in today’s scripture – the fullness of grace found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look at this marvelous gift of God – His grace – and begin with its fullness. The image we see in John’s description of Jesus being “full of grace” and Him giving grace out of that fullness is one of overflowing, abundance, and unlike in the physical realm, there is never a “drought” where God’s grace is concerned. It is always full, always abundant, and always ready to meet our needs – all our needs to include our spiritual growth. Here are two applications of the fullness of the Lord’s grace meeting our needs to mature in Him.

First, out of the fullness of Christ’s grace we receive salvation – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Drowning in the seas of sin and rebellion, the abundant grace of God comes to our rescue placing us on the sure rock of our salvation – the Lord Jesus and His saving grace.

The fullness of Christ’s grace is also “training grace” working in us sanctification or the process of becoming holy as He is holy. The Apostle Paul tells us of this “training grace” – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13). The grace that saves us is also the grace that spiritually matures us. Remember, we are saved by grace and we spiritually grow by grace. It isn’t saved by “Christ’s performance” and then we mature based on our performance. Everything in the Christian life from start to finish is by grace alone, through faith alone, by Christ alone, through scripture alone, and for God’s glory alone.

Oh, the grace of God. So marvelous, so overwhelming to the soul, and always able to meet our greatest longings and needs in life Run to it. Rest in it. It will never fail us.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for the abundance of grace given to me; an abundance meeting all my needs, all the time.”

QUOTE: “God’s grace is not only for salvation. It is the means of His giving to us all we need now and for eternity.”