John 1:14 And the Word was made 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. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
This passage of scripture teaches us the solemn and glorious truth, that God's grace was manifested towards us through Jesus Christ. The subject of God's grace is not given the in-depth thought is deserves, and because of this some people have derived from a cursory reading of the scriptures, a cheap form of grace that is neither recognized nor endorsed by God. The Bible declares throughout its pages the sacred truth of God's matchless love, and from our own experiences we too can testify to this undeniable fact. However, there are some issues pertaining to God's grace, and how and why it is dispensed, which we should give due consideration.
God recognizes the moral obligation of providing for all the needs of His created beings, as any good parent will do. However, that obligation only stands when those whom He has created agree to abide by the laws which govern all created beings, because if anyone chooses to walk contrary to the Creator of all things, by sinning, then that obligation becomes null and void, for God is under no moral obligation whatsoever to provide for those who choose to live in rebellion to His just laws. In other words, after Adam had sinned, God could have walked away from the human family with a clear conscience, and left us to die the eternal death, but it's because of His great love and mercy why He chose to go through the terrible ordeal of saving us through the cruel death of His Son. Let's read:
Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Earthly parents have a moral obligation to provide and care for their children who are brought into this world, through no choice on the children's part. But this obligation only stands if their offspring walk in obedience to the just laws of the parent's home, because according to the Bible, if the children rebel against their parent's just rule, the moral obligation then becomes obsolete, and even though most parents will still yearn after their kids, and may continue to provide for them for many years, this provision by the parents is solely because of their mercies and kindness towards the wayward child, and not because of any moral obligation. This conclusion is drawn for the pages of sacred writ. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Grace then becomes the unmerited favor of God towards us, and every promise written in the Bible, together with the gift of immortality are all given strictly because of God's grace and mercy. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which cautions us not to take God's grace for granted, but rather encourages us to avail ourselves of the redemption purchased at such infinite cost. Let's read:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!