The Uniqueness of Grace
John 1:14-18
"...We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only... full of grace and truth... For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
(John 1:14, 17)
Philip Yancey relates the story of a British Conference on Comparative Religions. World renowned experts were debating what, if anything, is unique about Christianity. Several possibilities were put forth. "Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. 'What's the rumpus about?' he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity's unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, 'Oh, that's easy. It's grace.'"
Only biblical religion puts forth the grace of God...from Genesis to Revelation, grace reigns. Buddhism has its eight-fold path, Hinduism has its karma, Islam has its code of law. All are ways to earn approval. Only in Christianity is God's love unconditional and unearned.
When you hear people say all religions are the same, remember that only the gospel of Jesus Christ gives salvation freely.
About the writer:
Charles L. Stanley became a believer in 1950 in a little Quaker church in Oklahoma. Later he graduated from Life Bible College and was involved in various ministries and pastoring for 20 years. He and his wife have two grown children and two grandchildren, and they live in Southern California where he is a financial advisor and is active in his community. He enjoys writing, speaking, and continuing to minister to those God puts in his path.
INSIGHT
Salvation is the gracious promise to Abraham and to all who believe the gospel. Do you live as one under grace?
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 43-44
Psalm 92
Acts 15
John 1:14-18
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, "This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’") 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[a] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Footnotes:
a. John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who
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