Grace and Truth
Jesus came filled with 2 things, grace and truth.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Consider if Jesus came filled only with truth. We all would be condemned. We would all pay for our thanklessness and lack of desire to honor the one who made and cared for us in every way.
However, if he came only filled with Grace we would all be waiting on him to fill our bowl of grapes while we lounge by the pool.
Consider if he was half truth and half grace. Sometimes he would be mean and angrry and other times he would be kind and understanding. It would be hard to be with hin as unsure which half would show up.
So we needed Jeus to be filled with two things, grace and truth and to live out both of them all the time.
Is Grace and Truth at the Cross?
Can we find total truth at the cross? Is there total grace?
Jesus brought us exactly what we need. He does it all the time. Furthermore, he is never all one as he is filled with both.
Consider the Christian community. I run a business and know the difference between Christian and non Christian customers. Christian customers often offer us grace and give us space and work hard to understand us. However, Non Christian customers hold our noses to the grindstone. Which makes us better? The Non- Christians make us better. I need to do it right the first time. Conversely, when I really need something done I will often avoid giving the contract to the Christian community as found they often expect extra grace. I am a Christain and want us to win, and thus will not give grace to Christian businesses, as it makes them soft.
It is not always true, but I find we as Christians are, on average, too soft. We like grace and push aside the hard edge of truth. Truth is: I promise, and I supply. Furthermore, I said Tuesday, and got it to you by Tuesday. I told my kid I would make their soccer game, and I got there 5 minutes early. Finally, I said I would come, and I am here even though it is raining. It is truth and not just pandering for grace.
We Have Had a Bad Reputation Too Long
In the Roman era, when Christians dominated the government from 316 t0 410 AD, a pagan complained against the Christian leaders saying “What good are the Christians when their only virtue is chastity?”
Now, sometimes, we do not even earn points for chastity. Many Christians have done outstanding and honorable work, but lets reach higher to do our work and our commitments with excellence. God fill us all Grace and Truth. Additionally, may we be receptive vehicles and show it among the nations.
