A Fresh Glimpse of Grace

A phrase that is very common in every Christian’s vocabulary is the “grace of God”. We hear it spoken a lot and we probably say the phrase a lot ourselves. It has become cliché for all Christians, almost as if we have known the words since our mother's womb.

Because of this, it can become all too vague and familiar, lacking real meaning in our hearts. And it is because of this that I wanted to get a fresh glimpse of God's grace, and I pray that I am able to pass on to you a new taste of God's beautiful grace.

Hebrews 4:14-16 says this:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

What we have here is an assurance that we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. What is amazing to realize is that it is neither a throne of contempt nor a throne of condemnation, but a throne of grace. The throne of God is a throne of grace. And remember, it is the Lamb of God who is seated of the throne of grace. And it was this Lamb that said:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

John gives us a beautiful glimpse into the heart and character of Jesus at the beginning of his gospel:

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The Son of God puts on a body of flesh to reveal the Father, for Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). And it is John who tells us that Jesus is full of grace and truth, hence our Father is full of the same. It is the Lamb of God, full of grace and truth, and He is now seated on the throne of grace.

After hearing such words, the first ‘glimpse’ we need to see is that grace accepts.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

It’s God’s love that has been lavished on us showing us that we are accepted as His sons and daughters. And if God’s love has been lavished on us, that means it is plentiful, generous and abundant. There is no measuring stick for the love and grace of God for those who are His sons and daughters. They are to receive the full lot. It is this sovereign grace which calls us to the Father’s bosom.

The Greek word for “grace” is charis. One man defined charis as this, “The absolute freeness of the lovingkindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and freeheartedness of the Giver.” Wow! What a great definition for such a great word as grace.

John goes on to say in the prologue to his gospel, “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). The New American Standard translates verse 16 in this way: “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.”

Can we get a glimpse of what we receive as sons and daughters. We come to the one full of grace and truth seated on the throne of grace, and from Him, we receive grace upon grace upon grace. Take a minute to drink it in.

Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Did you know that the same is true for our heavenly Father. Look at what David said:

“How precious concerning me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” (Psalm 139:17-18)

Where your treasure is, there your heart is also. What, or who, are God’s treasures? We are the treasures of God, His heart is with us, He thinks about us all the time. This only proves that the free grace of God accepts. Through His grace, we are accepted as children of the Beloved.

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” Let us drink of that grace upon grace daily, for it will never be withheld from our Father. His grace accepts. It is generous and it is abundant. How wonderful to be accepted by our God!