John 1:16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. Whatever grace the saints have they have it all in the way of receiving. 1. The grace and mercy of justification and remission of sins (Romans 5:11). 2. Of adoption (Galatians 4:5). 3. Of sanctification (Galatians 3:2). 4. Of the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 10:46, 47). 5. In general all is by way of receiving (Colossians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 4:7). This will appear — I. FROM MAN'S NATURAL INABILITY — 1. To overcome sin, be it never so small (1 Corinthians 15:57). 2. To rise again after falling. Peter must have a look from Christ before he could repent. 3. To stand and continue. 4. To prepare himself unto what is good (Ephesians 2:1, 5; John 6:44). II. FROM THE SUPERNATURALITY OF GRACE. (Ephesians 2:10) III. FROM THE SHORTNESS OF THE MEANS OF GRACE. The means as it is in itself, without God's appointment, is utterly inefficient. IV. FROM THE WORK AND NATURE OF FAITH There is no grace that the Scripture puts more upon than faith — in the Old Testament all victories, in the New all cures. Yea, the same works thai are given to Christ are given to faith: sanctification, justification, salvation. Why? Because faith is a receiving grace (ver. 12). So believing is nothing but receiving the grace of God. V. FROM THE POSTURE AND TRUE BEHAVIOUR OF PRAYER. Prayer is the soul's begging. A beggar holds forth his hand noting his willingness to receive (Job 11:13). In conclusion — 1. You say that this cuts off all endeavour. Not so (see Philippians 2:12). 2. Why is all this? (1) That all boasting and self-confidence may be taken away (Romans 4:1 Corinthians 4:7). (2) That Christ may be fully honoured. (3) That the children of God may live by faith. 3. This doctrine is full of spiritual use. (1) Behold what infinite care God hath of believers. If a mother would not let her child eat bread but of her own cutting, or drink water but of her own drawing, what carefulness of her child that would argue. (2) What comfortable lives believers live — even their troubles are from God who makes them minister to their good and helps them in them. (W. Bridge, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. |
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