John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Many years ago I sat in the front row of a church I was attending. The teacher pointed at me and asked me for the definition of grace. My answer was; “The outpouring of God’s love in my life.” He looked at me disappointed, and called on another member and received the answer he was looking for; “unmerited favor.” I’d heard it so many times before, why couldn’t I come up with the book answer?

The first usage of grace is found in Genesis where Noah found grace in God’s eyes. This looking upon was from God’s perspective, not Noah’s. Teachers often teach grace as a gift received, without merit. In the Hebrew grace is chen, with two primary definitions. One definition is favor, the other is loathsome. This is the root of understanding of the legalistic mind that cannot hold two opposing thoughts to be true at the same time.

In the opening verse grace in the Greek is charis, literally meaning appearance. It is the root to our words charisma, charming, and charismatic. They denote a pleasant and desirable appearance, influence and emulation soon follow. Outwardly we could look at John 1:16 as not all that different from Genesis 6:8 in the face of the word received, but here is where the Old Testament and New Testament differ, grace for grace.

God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts to be seen, the appearance of Christ in our lives. We are given grace to exhibit grace. The Old Testament view was to take it in, receive it and keep it to yourself. I call this view legalistic in that it edifies no one. The value of grace is that it can be and should be seen. We are called to be salt and light, and grace can no longer be grace if it is not shown, to appear, to reveal itself to others.

My teacher so many years ago heard a word from the Lord but shunned it because it did not fit his lesson plan. Grace would have recognized itself, embraced it and thrown the lesson plan aside. Legalism sticks to the letter and will not budge in the light of truth. Legalism is unyielding and hardens the heart.

According to John 1:16 you have received the fullness of Christ. The spirit of truth guides you and will help you identify that which edifies and that which does not. If it edifies it is gracious.

I see much grace around me. Thank you Lord.