January 14, 2023

No Greater Fullness of Grace

 “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17 (NASB)

             I often think back to my years in law enforcement. I reflect sometimes upon the encounters I had. Some were with members of churches and pastors. Most were those who were speeding, to times of those who committed criminal violations. I remember one sunny afternoon a car flew past me at almost twice the speed limit law. When I finally stopped the car, I recognized the driver. He was a pastor. He led a large church in our city. As I approached the car, I saw his face, and he saw mine. He hung his head in shame. I asked him if there was a valid reason for violating the posted speed limit law. He said “no.” Minutes seem like hours during those times for those who are stopped. I had a decision to make. I could extend grace by verbal warning, written warning, or write a speeding ticket. Although guilty of the law violation, I could still extend grace if I chose a lessor action. I had to decide. He apologized and said whatever I decided he would receive the consequences. Because of his humility, I decided to extend the full amount of grace under the law. He received a verbal warning. He experienced full grace that day from someone who was the identified as the law. Jesus did that for you and I. He has the fullness of God to extend grace.

             The Apostle John said, “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” John speaks of the incarnate Christ whom they received. John said that we received this fullness not as the world defines it, but as the fullness of God. This fullness doesn’t get more complete. Jesus is fully God. We also receive grace and truth as a result of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:19 says, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,”[1] In this verse Paul says that it was not only the fullness that we speak of above, but of the “Father’s good pleasure” to do so for mankind. God showed mankind mercy by extending His grace through the person of Jesus Christ, and He did it by His good pleasure.

             When the pastor in that car looked to me for my decision as to what was next, he fell under the law’s consequences. Judgment was likely, but it didn’t happen. I extended grace. My grace might have saved him from some money out of his pocket and a few points on his license, but God’s grace saves us forever by His good pleasure (Col. 1:19). The grace I could extend to that pastor was at best little compared to what God did when He sent His Son to give His life for you and me. Then and only then could grace be extended to you and me. I couldn’t change that pastor’s eternal destination, only Jesus Christ can do that.

              Today would you take a moment and thank God for His Son coming to this earth? Now thank Him for extending his grace upon you and saving you from more than just a ticket, but for an eternity! Will you also today extend His grace to someone else today who needs to see it?

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Col 1:19.