January 13, 2023

Perfect Grace

 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”  

John 1:14-15 (NASB)

             All parents see something in their children that shows God’s grace. There is something special in each child. Each child has that something which is uniquely special about them. For example, my son has a gentle spirit about him. He is able to quietly speak and yet be patient with just about anyone. You can however push him to the point where he will speak his mind as well. He is not perfect, but a small example of grace is seen in his life. God places that grace there. On the other hand, my daughter is the kindest person I have ever known. I have had a lot of time to watch over the years she was here. From her earliest childhood days, she shared with others around her without ever complaining. She was the kind of person who would take the coat off her back to give to someone in need. Yet she also was one who was not so patient and might even turn up the volume when she was offended. Two children and differing in personalities. In both, I see pictures of grace. Both could show grace at times, but not consistently. Both weren’t perfect. Jesus Christ is.

             When John said full of grace, the Greek noun charis has several connotations and senses which have ongoing benefit to the recipient. It is defined as: “goodwill freely disseminated (by God); especially to the benefit of the recipient regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator.”[1] Imagine the life of the disciples during His time upon earth with them. For three years I imagine living with initial strangers, you found some things that were offensive to each. Yet, each time Jesus was looking out for their best interest gracefully, even when they could be a handful! He did whatever was necessary to provide for the disciples needs, and Christ knew what they needed. Many times, He did it gracefully when they didn’t understand why. He also did it perfect harmony with the Father, never slipping up. You and I don’t share this attribute like God does, and He does it not just gracefully, but full of grace. This is viewed as grace upon grace.

             Each one of us have times where we are pretty good at extending grace to those around us. Let’s face it, it’s easy when you like someone. It is a little tougher when you don’t. Sometimes it even feels impossible. Just like my children above, we can do pretty well most of the time. It’s those times when we are caught off guard or become impatient, angry, or defensive when grace doesn’t look so graceful. We have a chance to be more like God each day. It takes a life of extending grace to others when, as the definition goes, to imagine benefiting the one, regardless of the benefit we will receive. Then we can say we have acted as if Jesus would.

            Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:2-3)

[1] https://ref.ly/logosref/GreekStrongs.5485