As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 16 of Chapter One. Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle writes:
“From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John. 1:16, 17)
God is good. God is love. God is righteous. We are His children, created in His image. The Word says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26). “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (1:27)
God created us to live on this earth to be like Him. To fellowship as family with Him. To rule over all the things He had brought to life. God said, “Let them rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26). But after man fell from his position due to unbelief, he was not even able to rule over himself. He fell so deeply into the darkness of unbelief, he could not even see what was right and wrong. So God raised up Moses, a man He spoke directly to, to bring the Law of right and wrong to His children He gave Moses 10 Commandments on tablets of stone of how man should live. God loved His children, but required they follow the law of righteousness, and sacrifices for sin in order to bless them. This was basically to teach them how to treat each other, and to live as they should.
When the children failed miserably at that by creating so many man made laws beyond the original 10, and became so ‘religious’ that they once again pulled away from His intent, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to bring truth, and to live in the flesh as an example. But this time, the only thing God asked of the children was to believe in the One He sent. (John 6:29) To just accept all His Son was going to do for them – for us. We could not get it right, but because He loved us so much, He was going to do it for us. Through Jesus, would come truth, and grace. In our next Message we shall look more deeply into grace, and the Covenant of it that is sealed by the blood of The Lamb.
Let us praise Him that His Word is Truth. His Grace allows us to walk in His Goodness. His Love has brought us into Righteousness in Christ Jesus.
We are one with Him.
Blessings and Love to you, and yours, God’s Beloveds through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Poppa B.