Gifts are wonderful to receive and many times just as pleasurable to give. However, the manner in which gifts are given can have greater significance than the gift itself. If someone gives us a gift begrudgingly and with and aggravated attitude, the reliability of their sincerity might be in question. When someone gives us a gift with joy and love and their only intention is our pleasure, the measure in which they give the gift it is often remembered far beyond the gift itself. John the apostle shares the manner in which God the Father and His Son Jesus provide three great gifts of which we studied yesterday – Grace, Mercy and Peace. He wrote these words in Second John in verse three:
Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Grace – the unmerited favor of God; Mercy – not getting what we deserve, clemency, and Peace – Peace with God and the Peace of God are mentioned in John's words to the elect lady and to us. These gifts are freely given by God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, and we can see the manner in which they are given - “in truth and love”. John's theme of this tiny book is “truth”, so over and over again we shall see him make reference to the truth. There was so much that was false in John's world, and we can relate because there is so much that is false today. Many people believe they can work themselves into Heaven, and grace refutes that idea. Some think there will be some kind of Divine Scale that measures the good and evil that we have done, but mercy puts all scales aside. Others are never at peace because they wonder constantly whether they will make it into Heaven at all, so they worry and work themselves or obligate themselves to every work that will add “good karma” to their lives. John says, grace, mercy and peace are from God the Father, and no amount of worry or work will ever be able to obtain these gifts that are available for all who will simply receive them.
Notice too that John includes “and love” in this verse. John the apostle is known as the apostle of love. He shares about love in his books over and over again, and now he relates grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ as being given in love. God loves us, and He loves everyone. He desires that everyone receive His gifts, and John knows that there are those around who would divert people from simply receiving grace, mercy and peace. There are people who tell them they must earn these gifts, and if they are “good little boys and girls” they will earn the favor of God. God the Father's favor is already extended. Oh sure, there are works to do, but they come in response to the wonderful gifts that God has given. Out of realizing and accepting these gifts, we now desire to work, not to earn grace, mercy and peace, but to respond in gratitude for blessings we have received.
As a final example of a response to a gift from Jesus, let us look at the book of the gospel of Luke in chapter seventeen and verses seventeen thru nineteen where Jesus has just cleansed ten lepers from their leprosy:
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Let us all take note today of this one leper who showed gratitude for the gift that Jesus gave him. We should simply receive grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for they are indeed given to us in truth and love.
Next time we will take a look at what John has to say about walking in the truth, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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