Focus: The Riches Of Grace

Text: Jh.1:16

"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."

In John 1:14, John tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ was full of grace. Our text tells us that from the fullness of Christ we are receiving grace after grace. Christ's fullness of grace flows and overflows from Him to us. His grace is a great fountain, a mighty stream, and a surging river.

Let's see what the grace of God does for us!

G.R.A.C.E:

*Gladdens us

Grace announces to us the good news of the gospel. In Act.20:24, the gospel is called "the gospel of the grace of God." In Act.14:3 and 20:32, it is called "the word of his grace." Grace-news gladdens our hearts and gives us hope. It is the news that our sins have been atoned for, our yoke of bondage has been broken and destroyed forever, and our peace has been restored. It is the news of our salvation and freedom. We are free at last, and it's freedom from sin, Satan, and the fear of death.

*Ransoms and redeems us

Paul says, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.3:24). We have been ransomed and redeemed by Christ. Our shackles are gone. We are no longer estranged from God. We are no more in the grips of Satan. Christ has paid for our redemption and satisfied the justice of God.

*Arms us to the teeth

Grace is our armor. It is our sure ammunition. Grace is our shield. In the psalms it is called "the shield of salvation." The arsenal of grace is immense and amply sufficient for us. We lack nothing in terms of divine military equipment.

*Changes us

Grace changes us from the inside out. Grace that redeems us also reforms us. Grace that saves us also transforms us. Grace molds our character and reshapes our thought patterns.

*Enriches and empowers us

Paul tells us, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7). We have the riches of grace to enjoy. In Eph.2:7, we have "the exceeding riches of his grace." In Eph.3:8, we have "the unsearchable riches of Christ." We are not only enriched by grace but also empowered. We labor under the enabling grace of Christ. We are both rich and enabled by grace.

We are under the reign of grace. We have been instructed to boldly approach the throne of grace. In the tabernacle of Moses and temple of Solomon, it is called "the mercy seat." Grace rules in our lives. Grace governs our hearts and directs our paths and steps.

Enjoy the blessings of grace and draw from the illimitable resources of divine abundance! You are abundantly blessed forever.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter