for from his fullness we all have received also grace upon grace (John 1:16)
Grace upon grace; grace against grace; grace in place of grace. What does this mean we receive grace upon grace? Paul writes death reigned through the one man Adam as man received judgment and condemnation through Adam's transgression, but just as death reigned much more will those who receive abundant grace and the gift of righteousness reign through the one man Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15-16). We receive grace in Christ Jesus. The Law came so that sin might increase but where sin increased grace super abounded so just as sin reigned in death so also grace reigns through righteousness to the extent of eternal life through Jesus (Romans 5:21). We receive grace in Christ Jesus and grace increases in knowledge of him.
may grace and peace increase in knowledge of God and Jesus Christ our Lord (2 Peter 1:2)
We receive the gift of righteousness, we were justified, and being justified by faith we have peace before God, and we stand in grace which we also have access to by faith (Romans 5:1-6). Peter writes this is of precious value to us to have received righteousness (2 Peter 1:1). We will see later through these precious promises we will escape our old nature. Worth mentioning in the next verses of Romans 5, is hope as we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God as God's love is being poured out into our hearts, a type of love that nothing can separate us from. And there is a message about suffering which tell us suffering produces endurance and endurance proves (or as James writes the proving works out endurance which produces maturity, lacking in nothing, wholeness James 1:2-4) which I take to mean brings us into fullness.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld that his glory, glory like as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth. "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). How precious is the blood that was shed for us, that brought in a new covenant, one of grace and truth! Grace was given to us in Christ and grace increases to us in Christ "may grace and peace increase". The key to increasing in grace and peace is through the knowledge of Christ. We "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). It is also the key to life and godliness, "His divine power has given us everything that for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us, his own glory and might..." (2 Peter 1:3). Make no mistake about it, the boasting is in God, it is according to his glory and might.
And saying to me, 'my grace is sufficient to you for the power is fulfilled in weakness.' Therefore to a higher degree do I boast in the weakness so that the power of Christ dwells in me (2 Corinthians 12:9).
As we increase in knowledge of God and Jesus we increase in grace and peace and truth and the power of Christ abides in us to the extent of life and godliness. Though circumstances might seem dim, godliness is of great value. And we see it as a process of growth through the knowledge of Jesus (Ephesians 4:13-14). God can deliver and heal but often he leaves the thorn in our side so that His power dwells in us. In this we know him more, we have fellowship in his suffering so to experience his life (Philippians 3:10). This divine power that gives life through the knowledge of Jesus is worked out through trials, and James writes blessed is the man who endures the "proving" he will receive a crown of life, that promised to those loving God. Press in, remain steadfast, abide in His words, there is a blessing and precious promise when we endure. Paul prays that God gives us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing him so that we know the hope of our calling and what is our inheritance amongst the saints and the incomparable greatness of his power available to us as believers (Ephesians 1:16-20).
"His divine power has given us everything, that for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us, his own glory and might through which he has given to us the precious and splendid promises so that through them we escape the corruption in the world, its desires, and come into existence partakers of his divine nature" (2 Peter 1:3-4). Increasing in the knowledge of Jesus, receiving grace upon grace so that His power dwells in us.