Grace and testimony

"And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.  (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”)  From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1: 14-17 (NRSV)

  

Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage of scripture provides some information about how the apostle John brings his testimony of Christ to us.  Henry reminds us that testimony has, since the beginning of civilization, been the principle means by which men can determine the truth.  Testimony is essential in a court of law in order to determine the truth and judge what it right.  Most legal systems that desire to seek the truth will take measures to help insure that testimonies are true. 

  

The apostle John wants his readers to know that his testimony about Christ is true. The apostle brings in the testimony of John the Baptist, who testified that Christ actually came before him.  John shows us in verse 14 that God's Word, which is His testimony, testifies to Christ as His only son. In verse 17, Christ testifies to himself through grace—grace upon grace.  This means, for us, that when we sin, (and this is a fact; we all sin) we can ask Christ to testify for us, and God will judge us based upon Christ's testimony.  And what will Christ testify on our behalf?  Grace.  His testimony will be grace.  And when we sin again (and we will sin again and again—sin upon sin) Christ's testimony will be grace.  Grace upon grace.   

I hope you have enjoyed today's devotional.  I would like to invite your comments or personal testimonies or praises regarding God's grace in your life.