“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John has laid the groundwork for his gospel in broad strokes, explaining the battle between good and evil (light and dark) and the mission that brought Jesus to be with us on earth. At this point in his gospel he starts to give us more specifics.
Q: What do you think John mean when he writes, “…we have all received grace in place of grace already given…?”
We live in sin and deserve judgement (death), but God let us remain by His grace. Then on top of that, God sent His son so that we may be saved by His grace.
Rob
Nicely said!
Yep,..He could have taken us out a long time ago,..but because of His love for us He has given us a life in Jesus and for all who believe an everlasting life with Him in a place known as heaven,..what an awesome God!,..Hallelujah
Jesus described Himself as the Living Water.
John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
John 7:37–39 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
Rivers of Living Water! Aside from our very existence, the greatest gift that God continually gives us is grace. When we think of His grace, and the living water, it is not a stagnant pool of water, but a river of flowing water, continually renewed. This is what is mean by “grace in place of grace already given.” We received His initial grace, and we continue to receive His grace as we fail in our walk, knowing that His grace is never-ending, and that our past, present, and future sins are paid for, allowing us to grow “in His grace.” This is how we become sanctified.
Chris,
I like your take on this! God’s grace is a river of grace, constantly being renewed by our Father’s love for us.
Well said!