The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

Before the beginning, there was grace. Grace is simply stated unmerited favor. Here are a few other definitions of Grace. “Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.” (B.B. Warfield) “Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.” (John Stott) “Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” (Paul Zahl) “[Grace] is God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.” (Jerry Bridges) “Grace is the opposite of karma, which is all about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.” (Justin Holcomb) “In the New Testament grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love.” (J. I. Packer) How important is grace? “The very center and core of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God.” (J. Gresham Machen)

Jesus came to us from the Father “full of Grace.” Without grace we would be without hope. Also, without grace we may never have been created. We were created because of the love that was within God, as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. “God is Love.” (1 John 4:8,16) God created us knowing that grace would be needed.

After creation we sinned. The results of sin was death. God responded with grace. He protected Adam and Eve from the tree of life, covered them and began His plan which was full of grace. Grace brings us salvation. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. . .. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9)

While grace brings us salvation, it also brings us life. “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17) Just as Paul said to Timothy, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9) This new life is to be filled with God’s righteousness. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) When God comes full of grace, He comes with what we do not deserve, and fills us with what only He can provide. Grace is not a temporary gift, but it is a gift which will last throughout this life and will give to us eternal life. We can now live in the righteousness of God, all because of His Grace.

We will also live forever because of God’s grace. By grace we are God’s people who receive God’s promise. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:3-5) The last verse of Scripture reminds us of God’s grace. “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21) Jesus has come to us full of grace.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block