UNITY AND EXPOSTION OF GRACE AND TRUTH

UNITY AND EXPOSITION OF GRACE AND TRUTH

"Full of grace and truth" John 1:14

In that phrase John recorded the full and final impression made upon him and his fellow-disciples by their time of comradeship with Jesus Christ. They were written, in all probability long years after that time of comradeship, so far as His bodily presence was concerned, was over. They lived with Him, traveled with Him, listened to His teaching, watched His works, and above all observed Him in all the circumstances of the varied days; and when the whole result needed to be written, John did it by saying, "Full of grace and truth." The description moreover, is given in a yet briefer way by the use of one word in the preceding parenthetical statement, they beheld His glory; and in the whole of that statement the most inspiring truth is declared—it was "glory as of the Only begotten from the Father." Here then we find the content of the glory of God. It is the UNITY OF GRACE AND TRUTH. Here then we have the EXPOSITION OF GRACE AND TRUTH. It is found in Jesus Christ. These two ideas should hold our minds and direct our lives. GOD IS GRACE, AND TRUTH. Not the one without the other; not the other apart from the one. In His government there can be no lowering of the simple and severe standard of Truth; and there is no departure from the purpose and passion of Grace. To say that, is to realize that the CROSS WAS NECESSITATED BY THE NATURE OF GOD. Then, when we would know Truth we must know Jesus Christ; and when we would apprehend Grace we must come to Him.