Campus CrossWalk Magazine: 2007 Summer Issue -- Grace Upon Grace

: “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17, NASV)

What does it mean to receive “grace upon grace”? Is this an expression that simply describes the complete nature of grace God extends in salvation? Or is there more?

God initially extends grace by meeting our greatest need –– a restored relationship with Him based upon the perfect obedience and perfect sacrifice of Jesus. All of history and the future can focus on the cross as the complete, basis upon which God justifies us and treats us with any kindness at all. We absolutely deserve God’s wrath. Justice would demand death and eternal separation from the One who created us and whose holy, beautiful, and perfect law we have violated. Justice would be correct to condemn the unholy, rebellious creation to an unending destruction.

But justice has been exhausted on the back of Jesus. The penalty has been paid. The condemned have not only been released from their terrible fate, they have been totally restored AS IF THEY HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG.

In fact, God not only imputes His rightness, holiness, and perfection in the restored ones, He from then on lives in them and treats them as they were as right, holy, and perfect as Jesus Himself. That’s grace. That’s grace that saves.

Then there is “grace upon grace”. This is grace that empowers; grace that meets needs; grace that grows. This is grace that benefits others. This is grace that expresses the presence of Christ in the middle of tests, temptations, and trials. God’s desire is to do more than just save us. If that were all God was interested in, He would have beamed us up just after we were immersed into Christ. God wants to use us. He wants to live in and through us in this world. He wants to develop our character and shape us to be more and more like His Son.

Jesus continues to touch others, heal broken lives, and love the unlovable through those who make up His body. He wants to draw others to Him as we lift Him up in our lives. He seeks the glory that comes from people who are trying to please Him. He wants to continue to forgive when we fail. He wants to strengthen and heal when we hurt. He wants to show the world how living a life surrendered to Him enables people to handle life differently, live victoriously, and experience peace – inner peace, peace with others, and peace with God.

All of these and more are expressions of His grace. So, in Him we have received and continue to receive “grace upon grace.”

Kevin Skidmore grew up in West Virginia, graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with an MA in communication and graduate work in religion. He has worked with campus ministries and churches in Cincinnati, Port Huron, Columbia, MO, Logan, UT and Springfield, MO. Kevin and Jan will be moving to preach for the Boise church in August. More info at http://kevinskidmore.info.