Grace Upon Grace

Bible Reading: John 1:1-16

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast".  Salvation is God’s free gift.  But grace is not without cost.  It cost our Saviour His life, and it requires our repentance, obedience, and sanctified living.

 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945), a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and Christian martyr, is best known for his courageous resistance to Hitler and for his profound writings on discipleship, grace, and costly obedience.  According to Bonhoeffer, cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, and Communion without confession.  Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, the cross, and Jesus Christ.

For a believer who is committed to living a life pleasing to God, God’s grace is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  This grace flows from Christ’s fullness.  We do not receive grace because we have performed well or prayed long enough. We receive grace because Jesus is full of mercy and grace. Our supply does not depend on our strength but on His abundance.

The Bible says, “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16 NRSV).  This grace flows from Christ’s fullness!

Grace is far more than receiving forgiveness. The phrase’ grace upon grace’ suggests that one grace replaces another. As one experience of grace does its work, another follows. Grace for conversion is followed by grace for transformation. Grace that forgives is followed by grace that heals. Grace that welcomes us into God’s family is followed by grace that transforms us to live as children of God.

When we are weary, or struggling with guilt, or fear, we are tempted to believe that we have used up our portion of grace. But the Gospel tells us otherwise. There is always more grace in Christ than there is need in us. When yesterday’s grace feels insufficient for today’s burden, God gives more grace!

So, living in grace upon grace means learning to receive daily what God delights to give freely. And as we receive grace upon grace, we should be slowly shaped into people who extend grace to others—freely, patiently, and generously.

My friend, today, whatever burden you are carrying, bring it to Christ. From His fullness, there is grace waiting for you, grace upon grace.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me stop striving and start trusting, and start leaning into Christ’s fullness, for His grace is sufficient for us.  Amen.

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