Savior and Lord
Jesus Christ is the channel of God's grace and truth, producing righteousness and saving us from sin.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord, highlighting the distinction between the Law given by Moses, which could only command righteousness, and the grace and truth that come through Christ, who actively produces righteousness and saves us from sin. He reflects on the historical grace of God, which was evident even before the Incarnation, as God continually forgave Israel and reached out to humanity. Tozer asserts that it was through Christ that grace was extended to save the human race from the consequences of sin, demonstrating God's unwavering love and mercy.
Text
God chose His only begotten Son as the channel for His grace and truth, for John witnesses that "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!" The Law was given by Moses-but that was all that Moses could do. He could only "command" righteousness. In contrast, only Jesus Christ produces righteousness. All that Moses could do was to forbid us to sin. In contrast, Jesus Christ came to save us from sin. Moses could not save anyone-but Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord. Grace came through Jesus Christ before Mary wept in the manger stall in Bethlehem. It was the grace of God in Christ that saved the human race from extinction when our first parents sinned in the Garden.
It is plain in history that God forgave Israel time and time again.
It was the grace of God in Christ prior to the Incarnation that made God say: "I have risen early in the morning and stretched out my hands to you!"
Sermon Outline
- The Channel of God's Grace and Truth
- The Law given by Moses
- The limitations of the Law
- The power of Jesus Christ
Key Quotes
“Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!” — A.W. Tozer
“Jesus Christ came to save us from sin.” — A.W. Tozer
“I have risen early in the morning and stretched out my hands to you!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must recognize the limitations of the Law and the power of Jesus Christ in our lives.
- We can experience God's forgiveness and redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
- We should seek to produce righteousness in our lives, not just avoid sin.