“The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
Dear Ones:
In the first of two prayers written down in his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul deals with basically two things. The first concerns a vision, or revelation of the truth, things as they are. The second prayer deals with power, the strength and ability given by God, to climb to the heights of the vision. Why are these elements in the believer’s life so essential, and to be sought after? We find our answer in the person of the Lord Jesus, who came revealing two great realities, grace and truth. Why is an understanding of the grace of God so very important? And why is truth essential to, even the bedrock of, fellowship or communion with God?
We begin by asking ourselves, “What is the basis, and reason, for which God reveals Himself to the soul of man in order to save him from his enemies of sin, self, the world, and Satan? It is grace, that attitude towards man whereby God comes to man, not because of any merit that man possesses, but only because God loves the individual, and attributes worth to him. The compassion and love of God are demonstrated so very clearly when the personal merit of the man, measured by anything that he has done, said, or thought, is NOT the motivating factor in the Shepherd seeking that which was lost. This compassionate love is a continued disposition of God when one comes to know Christ, for He deals with the believer, only on the basis of the finished work of Calvary, not on man’s supposed merits. The fulness and blessing of God are received according to the grace of God, and man’s willingness to receive it. Every act of the grace of God towards man, first of all to save him, and then to sanctify him, is a stepping stone for further grace, a climbing higher. The grace of God gives the vision of the heights of fellowship where He desires to bring the believer, and the power of God is given according to the truth of the promises and commandments of God. He will accomplish those things which He has declared. Ours response is to believe, and obey Him.
With the coming of Christ, and specifically when on the cross, He accomplished his work of redemption, He cried: “It is finished.” At that moment, a vision was given to the Jewish believer, as well as to the Gentile. The veil of the temple was rent in two. Why did God give this vision? He did so to demonstrate the spiritual reality that Christ has provided, by His sacrifice, specifically by His shed blood, a direct and certain way into the very presence of God the Father. Scripture tells us that we approach a “throne of grace.” What does this mean? The throne declares the absolute power and authority of God, there to show forth His grace to the one who approaches Him believing, relying wholly upon the name and merits of the Lord Jesus.
There is another aspect of this matter of grace, and throne of grace, which has its application and effect “on earth as it is in heaven.” The approach of the believer to God, believing that He IS and that He is the rewarder of them that come to Him in faith, is a constant invitation, and encouragement, to trust God for His highest, His reign, and the blessings of His kingdom. Up until Pentecost, there was the testimony of the way of God into the Holy of Holies, that most sacred place of fellowship, and proximity, to God. After the crucifixion, and in particular at Pentecost, when the Spirit of wisdom and revelation was given to the church to know that which was freely given of God, believers began to have a greater vision of what communion with God could be. They were given also the power to believe and know the reality of it. Christ came to dwell in the heart by the grace of God.
Dear Father, Give us abundant grace today to know Thy power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad