Jn.1:16 – And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
John has apparently been totally overwhelmed by the grace he has received in Christ. He uses the phrase ‘Grace upon grace’ apparently indicating that grace is part of the infinite nature of our infinite God. In other words this fountain of grace that we drink from in Christ is limitless, it is a bottomless well of blessing that we will drink from throughout eternity. Like everything else in Christ we don’t receive everything at the same time, that would be impossible. Each taste of grace increases our desire and our capacity which brings us into this life of grace upon grace. Here are some amazing comments from Matthew Henry, pay close attention for a blessing of grace.
“- The freeness of this grace. It is grace for the sake of grace. We receive grace not for our own sakes, but for the sake of Jesus Christ.
– The fullness of this grace. Grace for grace is an abundance of grace, grace on grace. It is a blessing poured out, such that there will not be room to receive it: one grace promises even more grace.
– The usefulness of this grace. Grace for grace is grace to advance further grace. Gracious favors received are to lead to gracious acts performed. Grace is a talent to be used.
– The substitution of New Testament grace for Old Testament grace. This sense is confirmed by what follows, because the Old Testament had grace in a type, whereas the New Testament has grace in truth. This is grace instead of grace.
– It shows the growth and continuation of grace. Grace for grace is one grace to apply, confirm, and perfect another grace.
– Grace for grace is grace in us corresponding to grace in him, just as the impression on wax corresponds to the seal line for line. The grace we receive from Christ changes us into the same image.”
I think one of the traps older Christians fall into is a familiarity with the blessings of God unaware that they have only touched the surface of the riches of His grace. One of the blessings of grace is a renewed awareness of the glory of His presence. This gift is essential if we are to return to a first love relationship with the Lord. In today’s verse from John we can find a key to walking in this blessed life of grace upon grace. Look at the verse again, do you see it? The fullness of His grace has to be received. He is offering this life, we have to step into this life of grace by faith.