Week 4—Thursday Galatians 2:19-21
Galatians 2:19-21
“GRACE UPON GRACE”
We continue to study John 1:14-16. The next portion says: “From his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.”
There is an objection which Bonhoeffer made when he spoke of “cheap grace,” when grace demands nothing but “faith.” It is true that “grace” can be so interpreted as to become “cheap”—“believe and you are saved.” But this is a caricature of “grace.” Grace has law in it, and the law is the law of self-surrender. The gift of grace is a very expensive gift, for if you take the gift, you belong forever to the giver. The giver binds you with cords of love that hold you forever, but you wouldn’t have it otherwise for worlds. So accepting grace is not a mental assent—it is a life response. Jesus gives all, and you cannot give less in return. It is my all for his all and his all for my all. It is mutuality, but not equality, for his all is infinitely greater than my all. But it is my all, therefore not cheap.
And since we know that, we can safely receive “grace upon grace.” For my self-surrender is once and for all and yet continuous. So if I am taking grace continuously, I am giving my all continuously. But I know I am getting the better of the bargain continuously. Therefore, it is “amazing grace” that would give so graciously and lavishly. But if lavish giving on his part provokes lavish giving in return on our part, then it is safe giving.
So now Jesus is free to give with both hands. For he is not spoiling us, he is despoiling us! For the more he gives, the more he receives—from us!
This “grace upon grace” actually depicts something that is unexhausted and inexhaustible, and it makes us reach on tiptoe to give and receive more. The Christian life is a life of endless adventure in receiving and giving. We never outgrow Jesus, and we never outgive him. It is endless mutuality—and effortless mutuality.
O Divine Redeemer, I see and am on tiptoe to see more. I receive and am on tiptoe to receive more. For you quench thirst and create thirst. The more I receive, the more my heart cries, “More.” I am endlessly satisfied and endlessly seeking. I thank you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: My life shall be one vast illustration of “grace upon grace.”