Inseparable Qualities

Over the last several days, as I have been preparing for the celebrations of this Holy Week, I have been pondering about John 1:14, 17-18. I know this passage is usually considered a Christmas passage, but it's really not. It's about the nature of Christ and his relationship with mankind.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."

Grace and truth. Grace and truth. I remember a conversation with my dear friend, Art Gay, a few years ago when this passage came up. Art noted that Jesus never compromised the truth, and yet he always led with grace. Jesus came to us in grace and truth. Not with one or the other, but with both. And the necessity of that combination is huge!

When one offers grace but is weak on the truth, there is often too much license in life. In the name of this inadequate grace, we do not hold our brothers and sisters truly accountable for thier thoughts, words and behaviors. We correctly define "grace" as "giving what is not deserved" but do so without the anchor of truth -- this allows all the benefits of forgiveness without repentance and change, all the blessings of the Christian life without the transformation of the heart. If we are to follow Christ's example, we must give grace that is anchored in truth.

On the other hand, truth without grace often becomes a weapon. Holding to truth by itself can lead to legalism. Even the most orthodox position, when it is espoused without grace, is deadly. The Pharisees of Jesus' day were masters of the truth, but they lacked the tempering of grace. So too today, Christians can become so consumed with doctrine that they miss the very lives around them that should be built up by it in grace.

Jesus never separated grace and truth. He did not compromise the truth -- and neither should we! But he always led with grace. I am challenged to take some time to review Jesus' example. The gospels are full of it.