December 5th Advent Devotional

December 5

John 1:15-18

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

-John 1:16-17

During Advent, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the gift of God’s eternal grace. In John 1:15-18, we are told “...grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Through Jesus, grace and mercy became personal; it is unearned and freely given. We are reminded that Jesus was sent by God from Heaven to redeem, restore, and rescue us. So, how has God broken into my life?

There was a time when I questioned my faith and was not confident in my beliefs. Of course, I knew God and knew that he loved me because of how my parents raised me. But I didn't know him for myself. That all changed when God met me exactly where I was in life. He showed me how great his love was and I got to understand his love through Jesus. While battling my faith and struggling because I couldn't see God or thought he was distant, Jesus and his spirit was with me, every step of the way. I got to understand that my sins did not define me and that I have been made new—by Jesus’ blood.

It is easy to think that grace is easily lost when you live in fear or constant sin. However, that is simply not true. God asks us to bring our fears and questions to him (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7), and Jesus gives us “Grace upon Grace.” The grace that was given by our God is the same grace that will break into our lives in our lowest moments to redeem, restore, and rescue us.

Makayla Brown