Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

John 1:16

John is writing to the believers everywhere and in all times.

All of us believers are overwhelmed with the fullness that we have received, by grace, through Jesus Christ.  I seldom see this word, fullness, nor do I use it.  Yet it is at the heart of what John is sharing with us as the glory of our new life in Christ.

We are empty, Jesus’ fills us with his fullness.  We receive that fullness by grace alone, not because we earn it, but by God’s grace.  We receive that grace, not because we have earned it but it is because God loves us.

How much grace can we receive?  John says we receive God’s surprising grace again and again, always added to that already given.

As I look back over my own life, what fills my heart with joy is not what I have done for God, but what God has done for me!  I receive his grace, I do not earn or deserve it!  I have no other song, no other plea.