Life, Light, Law, Grace: Summary of John Chapter 1:14 -18

by Teresa^(1,338) Bronze Star

In John chapter one verse 1 -13, we gained insight to several characteristics of the person of Jesus Christ. We learned He is not just a man or even "just a prophet" as some say. He is God. And being God He is the source of life.

In verses 14 – 18, John continues to present the authority and Deity of Jesus by sharing the testimony given by John the Baptist.

What are the implications of God becoming man? Why is it important for us to know that the law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ?

As we go through these passages of Scripture, remember that John is still laying the foundation and case for the person of Jesus Christ, which will aid us in understanding the importance of complete obedience to the Word of God. This should challenge those of us who call ourselves Christians. We will have to decide if we merely believe in God (believe in His existence) or we believe God (Who He says He is and trusting Him for salvation). While studying the book of John and looking at other passages of Scripture, we will see that just believing in God will not save us. It requires a complete surrender and trust in Him. Believing God for what He says, and surrendering to His requirement for salvation – which is agreeing with Him that I (you) am a sinner and must be born again.

READ JOHN CHAPTER ONE 1-18 – to keep the flow and context of the passage.

God becomes man

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…And of His Fullness we have received grace for grace…” John 1:14;16

Luke 2:11 – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Hebrews 10:5 – Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.’”

Philippians 2:5-8 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

Colossians 1:15;17-19 – He is the image of the invisible God, (the Father) the firstborn over all creation…and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist, and He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.

It makes sense then why Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.”

Law – Grace

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” John 1:17

Galatians 3:19 – 25 – “What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made: and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. Is the law then against the promised of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Romans 8:3-4 – “ For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His one Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Look back to move forward

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” John 1:4

Ephesians 2:1-3 – “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince and the power of the air, the spirit who now works in all disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others..

Colossians 1:12-14 – “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed[moved/transferred]] us into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The Word of God (remembering the Jesus’ very name is the Word of God), tells us that we are dead in our sin and it is Christ who makes us alive the moment we put our faith in Him. It is God who qualifies us for salvation. It is not through works of the law as Paul, in the book of Romans tells us, but by faith.

The point of the law was to reveal our sinful nature. The moment we are told not to do something, our sinful nature kicks in and we desire to do that very thing. The law could not give us the power to keep it – or as Paul puts it, it was weak in the flesh. However, when Jesus came, we, through faith are given the power to keep it. This is grace.

But grace doesn’t end here – grace says we do not have to keep it, because Jesus fulfilled every point of the law and if we are found in Him, we no longer have to strive to keep the law in hopes of gaining salvation. We can never be good enough to get to heaven on our own merits.

Colossians 2:11-14 – “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, putting off the body of sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven all your trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which is contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way having nailed it to the cross.

We need to ask ourselves; do we believe in God yet still think we are going to heaven because we are a good person? Do we excuse our sin by thinking our good will outweigh our bad? Are we living in obedience out of a grateful heart for what He has done? It is Christ who is the head of the church, not any man or any organized religious organization. Whom or what are we trusting in?

REREAD JOHN CHAPTER 1: 1-18

Come back next week as we discuss the background of John the Baptist as John moves us forward by shifting his attention by saying:

"Now this is the testimony of John..." John 1:19

May our love for Jesus grow stronger as we gain deeper understanding of who He is and what He has done for every one of us.

What is on your mind? Please share your thoughts.

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Article submitted Monday, September 13, 2010 & read 852 times.

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» left by Linda DeWitt (2 years 259 days ago.)

My husband looks at the Bible he asked for and hasn't said anything about this material yet but I keep praying for him. He did talk to Mark when he was here, Praise God., I really enjoy your study whether he ever reads it or not. Maybe it's just for me , who knows. God Bless you Teresa.

Linda D

» left by Teresa^(1,338) (2 years 259 days ago.)

Hi Linda.

That's great he talked to Mark. I will keep praying. And yes, the study just might be for you too :-)

I am being blessed as I go through John again. The group is asking great questions which challenge me and keep me digging in the word.

Blessings to you and lots of love! Teresa

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