The Age of Grace
17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (Joh 1:14-17 AV)
With the coming of Jesus we received the Word of God in the form of a man. He was the revelation of God to us. He told his disciples, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” He said that He did not come to destroy the Law, but He had come to fulfill the Law.
“23 And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].” (Lu 10:23-24 AV)
“10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1Pe 1:10-12 AV)
Grace came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law. Jesus fulfill those portions of the Law for us that we could not fulfill. This having been done on our behalf made it possible that the righteousness of the Law could be fulfilled in us. For now having been cleansed from all unrighteousness His Spirit could not only dwell with us but also in us. Grace and Truth have indeed come unto us.
Jesus is central in all of history. Our calendar testifies of this fact, as does all of history. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He revealed to us truth and grace. Jesus is the revelation of God, a glimpse into the very heart of God, His plan, His purpose, and His love intended for us. He revealed the righteous of God in human form. The Word was made alive and lived with us. To fully expound upon the extent and effect of Jesus life on earth cannot be stated in a few sentences. The Apostle John ended the gospel with these words: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (Joh 21:25 AV)
After Jesus ascent into Heaven, God’s outpouring of His grace came through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In the power of the Spirit the assembly of believers was raised up to bring the message of God grace to every people in every place. So powerful was this message that the whole world came to be effected by it. Where ever this message of grace was received the peace of God prevailed bringing order out of the chaos.
To this day the Grace of God abounds. Salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to transform lives. The message of grace empowered by the Holy Spirit continues to impact the World around us. The Spirit of truth continues to give life to those who by faith receive this grace of God.
“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Joh 1:12-13 AV)