God's middle name is "Grace."

 
The two Johns in the gospel story make an interesting contrast. John the “beloved disciple” was thoughtful and reserved – John the Baptizer was more of an eccentric. Each played his part in describing the Christ event. The prophet challenged the crowds to get ready for the coming kingdom and the disciple, looking back from Patmos, reflected on the character of God. (All of this is found in John 1:1-8, or pp. 5-6 in my gospel harmony).
       So John #2, “What were the qualities in Jesus life that you learned in your three years under his tutelage?”
       “Well, perhaps the most impressive was that people who believed in him would “receive one gracious gift after another” from his “infinite supply of grace and goodness” (p. 6).
       Probably all of us have heard grace described as “unmerited favor.” So the gifts that God gives – and keeps on giving – are exactly what the term says, they are the “favors” that he knows are exactly what we need at the moment for our spiritual growth. Things like new cars, a raise in salary, or a fully paid vacation in Fiji, are not what God thinks is all that important for the training period that prepares us for eternity. God’s gifts of grace have to do with our spiritual growth.
       You may think, “Well, that’s not too exciting,” and I would counter, “How would you compare a week at the Mauna Kea to an eternity of indescribable joy in heaven?” We have to keep our long-range view in balance, do we not!! Obviously, there is nothing wrong with a vacation in that lavish Hawaiian beach resort designed by Rockefeller, but, like every other tangible thing, it’s on it way to extinction. So enjoy your vacation; consider it a fun moment on the way to the indescribable.
       The other thing in this short section that calls for comment is the comparison between the Law, which came through Moses, and grace and truth, which comes through Jesus. Law played a critical role in the course of divine revelation, but now that Jesus has come we understand that grace is God’s defining characteristic. He gives good things without restraint. God is a giver. His concern is not with himself, but with you. It doesn’t matter that you were a sinner, in fact you still are – God gives himself to all who will receive him. Giving is the ultimate expression of God’s character. He, the God of grace and truth, gives himself as an unmerited gift to those who will accept. True to his nature, he puts others first, always has and always will. “Praise God from who all gracious blessing flow . . . and will flow, forever!  (John 1:16-18).