Grace and Truth

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Jn 1:17 NIV

We need truth. God is not a fairy tale. God created the world. Jesus was and is the eternal Son of God. The Ten Commandments come from God. Idolatry, murder and adultery are sins. That is the truth.

But we also need grace. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Only through God's grace do we receive forgiveness and eternal life, and much more.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Rom 8:31–32 NIV

All Bible-believing Christians agree that we need grace and truth, but in the minds of many Christians it is the other way round, that is not grace and truth, but truth and grace.

But is the order important? In the Bible, it is not just concepts that are important, but priorities.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Jn 1:17 NIV

First came the Ten Commandments and then grace through Jesus. But we need to take a closer look at this teaching.

What came before the Ten Commandments?

And God spoke all these words:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Ex 20:1–2 NIV

Rescue from slavery in Egypt came first, and then the teaching of the Ten Commandments.
That is, first grace and then truth.

How did Jesus minister as a preacher? He began by healing the sick, and only later did he reveal the truth that he was the eternal Son of God. In the beginning, he appeared only as a miracle-working prophet. That means first grace and only later the full truth.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. Mt 16:13–17 NIV

Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Mt 16:20 NIV

What was Jesus' approach? First revealing God's love through miraculous healings and then, much later, proclaiming the truth of his heavenly identity.

Many Christians grumble because some are healed in charismatic events, but not all repent.

But Jesus himself healed many who did not become believing followers. This made Jesus very sad, but he continued to heal the sick even though not all became disciples.

Grace first and then truth. That was and is God's approach.

ARE EXTREME MIRACLES FOR TODAY?

When the Hebrews were trapped in the desert by the Egyptian army, God held back the waters of the Red Sea and Moses led a nation of 2 million people to safety. 

• Some people suggest the water was extremely shallow but it was deep enough to drown the army that tried to pursue them. 

In The Complete Book of Bible Lists, H. L. Willmington lists 36 miracles performed by Jesus before He went to the cross. Many of these are recorded in two or three different Gospel accounts. 

• When God repeats Himself, He wants you to pay close attention. 

There are many who admit there are many miracles recorded in the Bible but they suggest miracles are not really so important. 

• Jesus did not think this way at all.

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Jn 14:10.

Jesus calls His miracles the works of the Father. 

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Jn 14:11

The Apostle John concludes his Gospel with the same thought.

  Now Jesus did MANY other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 

• but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

So what about us? Should we only admire the miracles of Jesus as historical events as some suggest? God forbid!

 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

• If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14

This is familiar teaching to anyone who has been to Sunday school. 

• However, many Christians say they believe this but at the same time attack preachers who emphasise miracles.

The familiar text about answered prayer follows directly after this startling text.

 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Jn 14:12

God’s plan for the followers of Jesus is that we should expect and experience many extreme miracles.

Many protest that this is promoting sensational preachers who want to get rich and glorify themselves. 

• Sadly this has sometimes happened but the misuse of God’s truth does not make God’s truth untrue.

Jesus warned that believers who misused spiritual gifts for their own selfish gain or glory should not expect even to enter heaven.

Matthew 7:22-23 (ESV)  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

• And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

But that does not mean we should not prophesy or cast out demons?

• No, but be sure to love God and others. True love produces great faith when you need it.

This world NEEDS extreme miracles.

• When a young woman is lost and homeless on the streets, her heartbroken parents NEED extreme miracles.
• When poor people suffer constant agony with rotten teeth, they NEED extreme miracles. 

C Peter Wagner was a conservative Bible teacher who had been taught not to expect extreme miracles but he heard of revivals in South America where people routinely testified they had received gold fillings by the power of God. 

He visited the revival and checked the stories with scientific care. He returned to his Bible school as a confirmed believer in miracles.

• Has your child disappeared or been taken from you?

• Have you lost your health, your marriage or your house? 

Believe for extreme miracles!