Today’s Encouragement is, “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.” John 1:16-17 ESV
Grace Upon Grace –
The Greek word translated into English as grace is charis. Some definitions include gratitude, benefit, favor, gift, and loving-kindness, as well as undeserved or unmerited favor.
The father’s response in the prodigal son parable (Luke 15:11-32) beautifully illustrates God’s grace. The father ran to the son, embraced him, put beautiful clothes on him, and gave him a family ring –
restoring him to the family in every way.
This is how God responds to us when we turn to him. Every. Single. Time. This is God’s grace. God’s unmerited favor.
The son didn’t earn this honor, restoration, and blessing. He never could do enough to earn back his position as a respected, honorable son, but the father – in loving-kindness, in mercy, in unmerited favor – gave him the gift of grace upon grace.
When Jesus appeared to Saul (Acts 9), He could have struck him dead for his sinful, murderous persecution of Jesus’ followers. But He transformed this self-righteous killer into the gentle, loving preacher of God’s Love and author of much of our New Testament. In Grace, His unmerited favor.
These are only two of the numerous examples of God’s Grace upon Grace. And this Grace, along with Truth, came to you and me, and to all who believe, through Jesus Christ (v 17).
How can we thank You enough, Father, for the immeasurable and undeserved gift of Your Grace? We cannot. We are speechless and grateful. Help us to live in Your Grace, accept it, and extend it to those around us.
Grace Upon Grace
Matthew West
https://youtu.be/803GF8k7I8A?is=qHjdBJoLGunRRpP3