K084. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ

Many radical grace preachers quoted from the following Bible verse:
Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
However, they may knowingly or unknowingly twist or change the true meaning of this simple verse. What is the true meaning of this verse? It simply means that both the law and grace are the gifts of God. If the law was from Moses (or God the lawgiver), it simply means that the law is a gift; the law is not God. Similarly, if grace is from Jesus Christ, grace is a gift; grace is not God.
However, today we still hear ignorant preachers or believers arguing vehemently that 'grace is not a gift (or doctrine); grace is God (or Jesus Christ)'. I can understand that it is just ignorance for a believer to say it. However, if a preacher preached long sermons to exaggerate it or influence the people to depart from God's commandments, it is manipulation of the mind!

God is grace; but grace is not God
Let us look at another illustration. When naive believers say that God is their prosperity, their money, or their everything, what does it mean? It means that God is very important and God is their solution to everything. I can understand it. But, if they turn it or twist it and say, "Money is my God ! or Prosperity is my God !", something is wrong. Their focus is no longer on God, but on money and prosperity. The way they said it reflects the real thinking, the focus, the fruit, and the occupation of their minds. The fruit of their thinking is wrong. That's why Jesus warned us of the religious greed or the fruit of thought which was in the hearts of the Pharisees:
Luk 16:13-15 KJV  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  (14)  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.  (15)  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Mat 7:15-16 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
By the fruit of their thoughts, we will know the false prophets too.

Today we do not have the Pharisees in our churches. But that does not mean that there is no more greed in our churches. There are still preachers, pastors, bishops, deacons, and believers, who are greedy and adulterous. It is ridiculous to say or lie that the warning of Jesus Christ is no longer applicable to us because we can never sin and we do not need to confess sin, admit sin, and repent.


Grace is not 'almighty' and forever
Hence, I will speak to the radical grace preachers, Do you tell the people to believe grace which came from Jesus Christ, or do you tell them to worship 'grace' and declare with you that 'grace' is your Jesus Christ ? If you preach the latter, you need to repent. You have twisted Joh 1:17 or give the false impression that grace is God or grace is Jesus Christ when grace is clearly written as a gift from Jesus Christ. I don't think that, other than Joh 1:17, there is any other Bible verse which confirms why grace is from Jesus Christ. However, I can find many Bible verses which show you that, grace is a gift from God, grace is not so fantastic that it can stop people from sinning, grace must be responded with repentance, and grace is not forever:
Mat 18:32-34 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Luk 13:5-9 KJV  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (6)  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  (7)  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  (8)  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  (9)  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.


Jesus is God of law and order too
Although grace and truth came by Jesus Christ and law and order is given by God, it does not mean that there is no more law and order. Grace and truth is still in (within) the law and order of God. It is because all the things of God must still be subject to the law of God too:
Rom 8:5-8 KJV  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
1Ti 1:10-11 KJV  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;  (11)  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
2Ti 1:6-7 KJV  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.  (7)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Ti 1:13-14 KJV  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (14)  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Tit 2:2 KJV  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

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