'. . . full of grace and truth.' -John 1:14
Luther, preaching on this text--
This world is a veritable vale of tears, an abode of sadness, a
cheerless desert; for we behold Adam and all men full of God's disfavor,
displeasure, wrath, curse, and condemnation. Adam is not full of grace.
By contrast, nothing but pure grace, love, peace, joy, and favor is evident in Christ. All of these are lavishly and
profusely His, since He is the dear Child of the heavenly Father.
Therefore He is a far different man from Adam. The comparison between
the two is like that of devil and angel. (LW, 22:119)
We are
surrounded by the children of Adam who are lost blinded by the devil and
are the children of disobedience. Paul added "among whom we all once
lived ... and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind"
Whats the difference? We have received mercy and grace. We were lost in
Adam but in Christ we received "nothing but pure grace, love, peace,
and favor in Christ" Think about what God has freely given to you and be
thankful.
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