Truth & Grace

As Christians, I think we sometimes act as though Truth and Grace are incompatible. Perhaps our sense of injustice and desire to share God’s Truth make us incapable, or reluctant to do so in a spirit of Grace. Some truth-oriented believers study the Scriptures and use their knowledge inappropriately. I know I have been guilty of this in the past. As believers, we can be quick to point out faults, judge others wrongdoings, and be slow to offer Grace and forgiveness.

On the other hand, some more Grace-focused believers focus solely on Grace and dismiss Truth. They are full of forgiveness and Grace, but often neglect to explain God’s moral standards and His claim to manifest absolute Truth. While I tend not to fall into this camp, neither extreme is beneficial.

When we look at the life and ministry of Jesus, we see him expressing Grace and Truth simultaneously and beautifully. In fact, we are told He came to earth full of 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” (John 1:14). And again, “For the law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

In order to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matt.28), we must learn to follow Jess and emulate His ability to act and speak with both Grace and Truth. Without Grace,a church can be full of Truth-telling self-righteous legalists. Without Truth, the power of the gospel message is diminished and its ability to convict and separate “bone from marrow” is hindered. We need to know Truth, live Truth, and speak Truth while we humbly but unabashedly share the gospel message of Grace.

Grace and Truth are not incompatible, they are indispensably interdependent.