GRACE AND TRUTH -- Monday:
" For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:14)
Here is a most wonderful combination: "grace and truth." "Grace" is Divine favor, acceptance, and benefit–all upon the basis of another's merit. "Truth" is reality, uprightness –what actually is. Under ordinary circumstances, grace and truth cannot be brought together. While the Lord is "a God of truth and without iniquity" (Deut 32:4), even being "abundant in goodness and truth" (Ex 34:6), the nature of fallen men did not permit God to lavish His favor upon them. Israel is the premier example of this condition. Although they were chosen by God and favored above all other nations, yet they were told, "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you" (Jer 5:25). Grace and truth could not be brought together under those circumstances. Truth contradicted their persons, and thus was not their preference. Thus, grace was not common among them. What is more, only the faintest outline of truth was revealed to the Israelites. Types and shadows were given to them which spoke of reality, yet did not show the "substance" itself. Actually, WE benefit more from what they received than they did. They knew little of "grace and truth."
With the advent of Jesus Christ, everything changed. When "the Word became flesh," taking upon Himself the "form of a servant," He opened the door for both "grace and truth" to be experienced by men. In fact, Scripture tells us He was "FULL of grace and truth" (John 1:14). He is the appointed Source of both "grace and truth," that is why He is filled with them. Mind you, before He came into the world, He possessed these Divine qualities. But when He entered with them into the world, He came to bring them both to us–to put them within our reach. That is precisely why we read two verses later, "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (1:16).
Our text contrasts the ministry of Moses and Jesus. It also accentuates the difference between Law and grace. It is very precise in its statement. The Law was "given" by Moses. It was imposed, so to speak, upon the people. In a sense, it was actually separate from the people. God did not put it into them, but gave it to them. The people were told what to do, and what not to do, and all of it was true and right. "The Law was given by Moses" in the sense of him being the mediator, or the one through whom God's Law was given to men.
How differently our text speaks of the ministry of the Lord Jesus. "Grace and truth" CAME by Him. The word "came" means happened or came into being. While the Law was "given by Moses," but was not fulfilled in him, "grace and truth" came to pass, or were fulfilled, in Christ Jesus. Although the people "received the Law" (Acts 7:53), they did not actually experience it. It was not fulfilled in them. In Christ, however, "grace and truth" are actually experienced by the believer. We "know the grace of God in truth," and "know the truth" which makes us free (Col 1:6; John 8:32). Grace is not something you do, but something you receive. Truth, in the strictest sense of the word, is not a mere obligation placed upon you, but realities to be known and experienced by you. Grace brings Divine favor to the believer, and truth brings freedom. Thus, we are profited, or benefited, by both "grace and truth," where the Law brought death and condemnation (2 Cor 3:7-9).
By saying "grace and truth" came BY Christ Jesus, the spirit means those receiving Christ also receive "grace and truth." He is not only the One through whom they are ministered, He is the Environment in which they are experienced. To be "in Christ" is to experience "grace and truth." There God is pleased with you and shows you the significance of His truth. Your acceptance of Jesus is of greater value to God than all of your accomplishments–even spiritual ones. "Grace and truth" are not brought to you because of what you have done, or even because of your obedience. Rather, they come to you with Jesus, Whom you have received.
Now, lay hold on this truth! "Grace and truth," both of which you sorely need, come to you abundantly through the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You in the name of Jesus for the abundance of grace and truth that are in Him.