Soap box 51-GRACE UNDER LAW - John 1:1, 14, 18


Some misinformed people seem to think that Dispensational Bible teachers limit 'grace' as a word used mainly and mostly by the Apostle Paul. It is true that Paul uses the word 'grace' more ( by just counting occurrences) than other writers of the so-called New Testament. But, the discerning student of the Bible is aware that the Lord Jesus was said to be full of grace and truth according to John 1:14. This was like viewing the Lord as one who was personifying grace and truth. The glory that the Lord came to manifest was beheld as a glory that testified to one who was uniquely identified as of the only begotten of the Father. 1:14

Too many Christians liken themselves to amateurs, too immature to comprehend the unfolding drama of Redemption as found in the Scriptures. But the Christian life is not to be a past time or a part time experience, but a full time commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to learn from the teachers of the Word, but not be leaning on them. This is a mature stance, willing and able to accept teaching from others, but able and willing to be a book worm and go treasure hunting in God's gold mine, the Word of God.

In John 1:17, the Apostle John tells us that the Law was given by Moses. And, then, he tells us that 'grace and truth' came by Jesus Christ. This 'grace and truth' came in the person of the Lord Jesus. It came in the wonder-working ministry of the Lord. Each time our Lord performed a sign, he presented a work showing his glory. At the wedding at Cana, when the Lord turns the water into the best tasting wine, he 'manifested forth his glory.' ( 2:11 ) This glory was the Lord's action, full of grace and truth. The point John wants to make is that while Moses lived on this earth, the Law was given to him from the God of Heaven. But, the Lord Jesus came from Heaven and he brought grace and truth as part of his very nature. These are characteristics that are hard to separate. So when we think of his acts of 'grace', we really understand this as 'truthful grace'. As we think of him speaking or performing in a truthful manner, we know that this is 'gracious truth' Luke tells us ( Luke 4:22) that many wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his ( the Lord's ) mouth. These gracious words were tempered with truth.

Notice carefully, the Lord does not end the law given by Moses at his incarnation or during his teaching ministry. He said early in his ministry, that at that particular point in his ministry, he did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law. ( Matthew 5:17)

What the Lord Jesus meant by "I am not come to distroy (the Law or the prophets), but to fulfill", in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, is revealed in his own commentary on the Law of Moses in contrast to the many other Rabbinic interpretations given, debated and studied during those days

Notice the repetition found in these references : 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43. "Ye have heard that said by them of old,……..". "Ye have heard that it hath been said,…..".

Then we have the insightful teaching and interpretation from the Lord, "But I say unto you….", in reply : 5: 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44. Further along in the Sermon, he gives more teachings along with a personal, authoritative comment. Cf. 6:2, 'Verily, I say unto you…'. Notice also, 6:5, 16, 25, 29 and 5:18, 26.

The Law of Moses was like a bud of a rose. Through the teaching ministry of the Lord, the 'bud' flowers open to full bloom. The Law of Moses is like a balloon, not fully blown up. The Lord takes the teachings of the Law of Moses and greatly increases its depth, scope and intensity. The Lord takes a 6" diameter of the balloon ( of Moses ) and proceeds to increase it to a 12" diameter. What was once a Law that measures the external actions of men, is now penetrating to the very inner being of a man, to the heart and to the mind, judging the intents of the heart and the thoughts of the mind..

Notice with regard to "Thou shalt not kill", with a comparison to "Whosoever is angry" and "Whosoever shall say.." Note, that committing adultery has been taught against from old, but "I say", whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Jesus fills the Law fuller, he expands, heightens, deepens and widens the intensity and application of the Law.

But he also fulfilled the Law by his perfect life of obedience to the Father. The Father has called from heaven several times to say that this was his beloved son, who always pleased him Matt. 3:17, 17:5. Jesus said, "Which of you convinceth me of sin ? John 8:46 The writer of Hebrews states that the Lord Jesus " was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15.

Our Lord also fulfilled the Law by meeting the demands of a broken Law. He did not break the Law. Mankind broke the Law and the Lord Jesus paid the price of death for all of mankind. Paul states it this way, " For he ( God ) hath made him ( the Lord Jesus ) to be sin ( or a sin offering ) for us, who ( the Lord Jesus ) knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." II Cor. 5:21

Paul tells us that when the fullness of the time was come ( by God's reckoning) God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law ( of Moses ). Gal. 4:4 So the grace and truth that came through/by Jesus Christ, came through the Lord under the law. The Glory that was beheld by his disciples, was beheld under the law. As the Word was made flesh, the Word was made flesh under the law. He, the Word, the Lord, was full of grace and truth under the law.

In a sense we could say, the Lord Jesus was dispensing grace and truth horizontally as he manifested forth his glory in particular 'signs" that were selected and recorded ( as emphasized in John's Gospel ). But, it was through the Apostle Paul as the Lord's special agent of grace, that we learn of the vertical truths that are considered a galaxy of grace, coming from the Lord Jesus as he sits in the heavenly glory.

We would not discount or delete God's gracious dealings with mankind, before these block-buster revelations of grace that came through the Lord Jesus, during his ministry while on earth ( in a horizontal showing of grace ) or afterwards, while seated in glory, from heaven to earth, ( this vertical manifestation of his marvelous grace ), to and then through the Apostle of Grace, Paul.

The entire word of God is a gracious record of God's pursuit of mankind. But as we progress through this word, we should see the brilliance of God's grace as it streams forth from this very same word, as grace abounding, as revealed in the Pauline revelation . Cf. Romans 5:15, 20. Here Paul speaks about the grace of God and the gift in grace,….which abounds through Jesus Christ. (5:15) He then, goes on and states that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. (5:20)

So God's grace and mercy can be seen with a spiritual eye all through the Scriptures.

Those with 20/20 spiritual vision can see that incarnate grace and truth as it was personified in the person of the Lord Jesus, 'who in the days of his flesh' (Heb. 5:10), ministered for three years, under the Law of Moses.

And those with 20/20 spiritual vision and insight are able to see, enjoy and rejoice in the grace that comes from the Lord in heavenly glory to and through the Apostle Paul, as he states in Ephesians 3:2,3 , "which is given me 'to you-ward': how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery." Paul states it like this in Colossians 1:25 & 26, where he says he was made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given to me for you, even the mystery…….now is made manifest to his saints.

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