There is a common false belief that we followers of Christ can only be those who speak the truth or only be those who are full of grace. The reality is, we were not meant to operate in just truth or just grace. As followers of Christ, we are called to live and speak with grace and truth, not one or the other. This is the example Christ set on this earth, and it is the example that we, as His followers, are called to model.
John wrote about Jesus’ grace and truth in John 1. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote about Jesus and His incredible ministry on this earth. As he introduced this book of the Bible, he wrote about Jesus, calling Him "the Word" and saying, "The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness" (verse 14). This is one of the most beautiful descriptions of Jesus. Not only did Jesus come to live among us, Jesus was full of both unfailing love and faithfulness. The phrase "unfailing love" can also be translated as "grace,” and the word "faithfulness" can also be translated as truth. Indeed, Jesus is full of grace and truth. He does not compromise on either of them. He operates fully out of grace, and He operates fully out of truth. That means that He condemns sin and also offers hope to all if they will turn away from their sin. Jesus will always judge sin for what it is, sin. He will not compromise on acknowledging and condemning sin in order to show grace. He will also always offer hope, even in the midst of our sin, because no one is "too far gone" to receive His grace, love, and forgiveness if they turn back to Him.
We have a Savior who is filled to the brim with grace and filled to the brim with truth. Because we are His followers, we ought to follow His example. We can speak the truth and at the same time show grace. Let's follow the example of our Savior and model His grace and truth without compromising either.
Memorize John 1:14. Let this verse be a reminder to you of Jesus’ example that He set while on earth, full of both grace and truth, compromising neither. Let it also spur you on to follow His example.
1In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
