15 April | Youth
«And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.» John 1:16
Every day I learn a little more about my limitations. I am a sinner in need of repair. Sometimes I surprise myself with the weakness of my decisions. With each fall, I learn more about myself. And that is how I discover how fragile I am in the face of temptation. Then I see how much I need God's grace in my life. Sin places a huge burden on our shoulders. We try to deal with the weight using our own
strength. I have often wondered where the abundant life that Jesus promised was (John 10:10). We go one step forward one day and take two steps back the next. In fact, what happens is that we are trying to live the Christian life by our own efforts.
Victory comes not from what I do, but from what He did. Jesus came to save us from our sins. He bore “the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6). Christ died for me, and because of His death, I have life and forgiveness. There is no sin too great for God. His forgiveness for us takes place daily.
John states that Jesus gave us generous portions of His fullness. What He did was an act of grace, without anyone's help. You cannot add anything. No act of kindness on your part can enter the equation. Salvation is not Jesus plus something else. Salvation is Jesus! He gave Himself completely to save you. When you accept Him, you receive His fullness, His divine life. In 2 Peter 1:3, it is written that “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
Because grace is an unmerited favor, Jesus supplies everything you need for a victorious Christian life. Grace is available for justification, but also for sanctification. First in justification, then in sanctification. This is grace upon grace!
Are you feeling dirty? Are you wounded by life and filthy with the mud of sin? There is grace upon grace for you. Grace upon grace is like the waves of the sea. A wave breaks on the beach, and another comes crashing right behind it, and then another and another. Such is the undeserved grace of God in our lives!
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). God's children will always be learning and growing. Grace will never leave us as it found us. I was saved by grace, even though I did not deserve it.