Grace Upon Grace

"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. And this is the testimony of John..." - John 1:16-19a ESV

Here is another translation that is not literal but carries the spirit of the passage (verse 16)...

"From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." - John 1:16 NLT

In context, grace piling upon grace speaks about God sending people to model something. Moses was a saviour sent to bring Israel out of Eygpt. John the Baptist was sent before Jesus. Jesus represents God the Father.

The Father has an overflow that comes from His fullness. Salvation has an overflow. Jesus finished the work on the cross and we benefit from an overflow that happens because that channel is connected and functioning.

We have now become witnesses. Grace will get piled upon what we show people. We love with God's love and then His love gets revealed. His grace is on display somehow through us and then people have a bridge to a direct flow from God.

"Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God," - Psalm 62:11 ESV

A friend says something but then we realize God used them to reveal a concept from Heaven. A friend is gracious and we are connected to God through that grace to His grace.

The law was a great gift from God given through a man who was 'a type' (reflection / fore-taste) of a saviour then God's grace came as a greater gift out of the completeness of the finished work of the cross. Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law and as a quickening Spirit He makes us alive which the law had no power to do.

Gift upon gift. Blessing upon blessing.

God make us a reflection of You today. We can seem like dusty people in a fallen world but we know You have put treasure in this earthen vessel. We pray people would see You somehow by Gospel words, actions and attitudes. We don't have the power to give life but You do. Make us into bridges that live in the overflow of redemption. Thank You God. We worship You. All blessings flow down from You. Thank You.

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The Touch That Gives Words

I find that I have certain 'pet doctrines'. They are things I like to talk about and I could go on endlessly about them.

But then I remember the old men at the nursing home with their practiced accounts. I would go and hear the same tales again and again. Sometimes with more embellishments and sometimes less. If I live that long I will be old like those men but I want to have words from God and not just polished accounts that I pull out again and again.

If we know God then we are ambassadors for Him. We don't retire from that role. That means we need to be up on current events. Our conversation must be engaging. We are people who 'have the power to make an offer of amnesty.'

We open God's book and find Jesus. In prayer we quiet our minds and listen. We bring issues to our sovereign about the the places we are sent to.

"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." - Jeremiah 1:8-9 KJV

No. I won't have pet doctrines that I give to people again and again. I need the touch that gives me words.

This body may grow old but the touch never grows old.

Those men in the nursing home do have wisdom. I love to listen to them... but I want what I have to be fresh.

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Bought With A Price

"For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God." - 1 Corinthians 7:22-24 ESV

Wow. What an interesting passage this is. Looking at the Greek adds dimensions I've never seen before.

The Greek word for 'price' is time (Strong's G5092) it is the set value given to an item or the deference given to an office or position. Sometimes it is translated honor.

God has paid this honor debt for every person already. The ones who don't know Him just don't know or recognize that all important detail.

Some job promotions come with perks like a better office but a calling puts us on assignment right where we are. It changes our sense of privilege and debt.

" 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.' For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." - 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 ESV

The 'bondservant' role has a price attached to it. Our price has been paid by the Lord. No fallen person owns us. We belong to God as people on assignment in whatever situation we find ourselves in.

We live in the realm of honor. God has a grace honor system. It is the culture of His household. We are free men and women there. We are also constrained by love in ways that didn't matter to us before.

We are ambassadors of God and His grace where ever we go today. We are living representations that a price has been paid and God's kingdom culture is divine and different.

Amazing.

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