There was a boy about 10 years old, ready on Sunday morning to go to the church. His father gave one coin and said: “This is offering that you should give to God.” Then he took another coin and said: “This is for your ice-cream.” The boy was so glad that he rushed out grasping coins in one hand and bible in the other. Sadly, one coin slipped from his hand, fell in a ditch which was dirty, dark, and deep. Shocked, he stood there for few seconds. Then, he looked up towards heaven and said: “Lord, the coin in the ditch is yours, please take it for yourself. I will keep this coin for my ice-cream.” Will the Lord accept the boy’s prayer?
Truth (Law) states that the boy is guilty of negligence or haste or ignorance. He deserves punishment. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10) Law declares the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23). There is no mercy in the implementation of Law, Truth. “Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.” (Hebrews 10:28)
In contrast, Grace states: “Alright son, I will retrieve that which is lost, go and enjoy your ice-cream.” Grace is mercy shown to an ‘Ill-deserving, Nil-deserving and Hell-deserving person.’ Lord Jesus Christ integrated Grace and Truth. Gracious Lord took the punishment of death (diving into the dark, deep, dirty ditch), died and rose again (retrieved the coin). Hence, Lord Jesus grants gift of New Eternal Life that includes forgiveness of sins. (Romans 3:23)
Grace and Truth is reconciled in Lord Jesus, which is the Glory, Apostle John saw and experienced.
Do I appreciate the Grace of God in Christ Jesus?