It is written:
John 1:14-16-And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
And:
John 3:16-For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
These words (grace, love) teach us about the amazing unconditional love that God has for the people in the world.
Grace is one of the most illustrative words in the English language. It is often interpreted as “unmerited favor,” and this is a good definition. However, the original word goes so much deeper and provides such depth when understood!
“What is grace? Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable. It is being loved when you are the opposite of loveable. The cliche definition of grace is “unconditional love.” It is a true cliche, for it is a good description of the thing. It just sounds a little 1970s (as in “Have a Nice Day!”). Yet the words are apt. Let’s go a little further. Grace is a love that has nothing to do with you, the beloved. It has everything and only to do with the lover. Grace is irrational in the sense that it has nothing to do with weights and measures. It has nothing to do with my intrinsic qualities or so-called “gifts” (whatever they may be).” ((Paul F.M. Zahl, Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life, 493-498 (Kindle Edition); Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
The love of God towards mankind is completely unconditional. Indeed, this is one of the primary meanings of the Greek word used most often in the New Testament, agape.
“AGAPAO” speaks of a love which is awakened by a sense of value in an object which causes one to prize it. It springs from an apprehension of the preciousness of an object. It is a love of esteem and approbation. The quality of this love is determined by the character of the one who loves, and that of the object loved. Agapao is used in John 3:16. God’s love for a sinful and lost race springs from His heart in response to the high value He places upon each human soul. Every sinner is exceedingly precious in His sight….This preciousness of each member of the human race to the heart of God is the constituent element of the love that gave His Son to die on the Cross. The degree of the preciousness is measured by the infinite sacrifice which God made. The love in John 3: 16 therefore is a love whose essence is that of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the one loved, this love based upon an evaluation of the preciousness of the one loved.” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Golden Nuggets from the Greek New Testament, 52-53 (Kindle Edition); Pioneer Library)
You can never “out-sin” the love and grace of God. His love is unconditional. However, being the recipient of the benefits of that love is completely conditional. While Jesus died on the Cross for every sinner (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Timothy 2:4-6), only those who submit to His Word will be the recipients of the blessings that come from that love (Acts 2:37-47; 1 John 2:1-2). This all goes back to personal relationships with God (cf. John 17:3).
Indeed, the Old Testament makes a clear connection between grace and personal relationship with God. When a person comes to understand and accept the grace of God, it leads to intimate relationship with the Almighty.
Exodus 33:13-Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”
Exodus 33:16-For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”
Notice the inherent connections between the grace of God and personal relationship with Him.
We find the same thing especially in Christ. Notice how John connects the grace of God (as shown through Christ) with becoming sons of God (John 1:10-17).
We embrace God’s gracious offer of salvation when we are baptized into Him as believers who have repented of our sins.
Acts 22:16-And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
We continue to grow in our understanding and appreciation of God’s grace as we grow as Christians.
2 Peter 3:18-but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
You were loved by God before the foundation of the world, and when you were knit together by Him in the womb (Psalm 139), and when you have sinned against Him. You were loved when He sent Jesus to die in your place (Galatians 2:20), and when He arose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
Will you not respond to His gracious call today?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
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