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 (John 1:14: NIV).
John tells his readers of another duo of gifts all wrapped up in Jesus Christ—grace and truth. They are found in no one else but God, the Son.
The Word, there with God at the beginning, was sent by God. The Uncreated One came . . . in the flesh. Oh, what a wonder!
Those who saw Jesus, saw the glory of the Son of God. And that glory is full of both grace and truth. In perfect balance. All the time.
The One who speaks truth and is Truth are the same.
The One who brings grace and is Grace are one.
Jesus embodies both God’s truth and His grace—for He is God.
He didn’t come in only grace, with no truth. Or only in truth, with no grace. He did not, nor will not ever, compromise God’s righteousness and justice in His grace. Nor will His truth be delivered without grace.
Jesus wasn’t harsh with truth, but gracious. He wasn’t compromising in grace, but truthful.
Jesus spoke truthfully of sin. And graciously contended with it. He addressed our sin. And graciously provided a means by which it could be atoned.
Jesus was graciously accessible and inviting. But, in truth, He challenged errant beliefs of His day. He preached God’s love . . . and woes upon the unrepentant. He promised His return . . . and a coming day of judgment. He gave insight into both the kingdom of God . . . and hell. How important, then, is it that we possess this same dual, symbiotic gift? We learn from Him. By listening, as He said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37).
Those being remade in the likeness of Jesus are to image both truth and grace. It’s just the gift this world needs! And we do so by grace-upon-grace received from His fullness (John 1:16) through the Holy Spirit.
Our Father, we marvel at God, the Son, who alone is truth. Who came, as Gift to the world, in grace and truth. Grant us a discernment that is always grounded in truth. Increase our ability to listen to Jesus and learn how to possess both grace and truth in kind. And, with the grace you lavish upon us, helps us to be increasingly more gracious in truth.
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