Embracing Both
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
Insight
In the Christian life, we are forced to navigate the uncomfortable tension between grace and truth. Trying to find an appropriate balance between the two results in a lot of conflict—both within ourselves and in our faith communities.
Each of us tends to lean toward one end of the grace-truth spectrum. Though, no “side” is superior, because both extremes come with severe spiritual consequences.
Those of us predisposed toward grace can become permissive of sin. We abuse God’s forgiveness; we accept His pardon, without allowing His kindness to lead us to repentance. When we embrace grace without acknowledging truth, we end up taking God’s redirection all too lightly. We don’t grasp the true cost of our sin. We allow ourselves and others to remain in the same destructive cycles, and we excuse it all on account of God’s unconditional love. Though, we forget that God’s unconditional love is beautifully expressed through His commands and discipline. We forget that He gives us His truth so that He might give us abundant life.
On the flip side, “truth” people may find themselves being hypocritical, proud, or judgmental. Those of us who gravitate toward truth might look down on others who are not staying on the “straight and narrow.” We buy into the lie that God’s love is contingent on our ability to keep His law. We are confident in ourselves when we are living up to our standards; but our self-esteem is crushed when we fall short. We do everything we can to mask our mistakes and put on a facade of perfection. When we embrace truth without grace, we spend a lot of time shaming ourselves and others. We approach our relationship with God with crippling insecurity. We feel like we are walking on eggshells around Him, constantly afraid we are disappointing Him.
Trying to find the “correct balance” of grace and truth is a futile effort. We don’t need truth with a side of grace or grace with a sprinkle of truth. Scripture tells us that what our souls truly need is the fullness of both grace and truth. The fullness of these virtues is found in a person: Jesus Christ. Our Savior is unbelievably gentle and humble in heart (Matt. 11:29). He forgives us whole-heartedly (Hebrews 8:12). His love for us never wavers, regardless of how far we go astray. At the same time, He always encourages us to repent and live according to His Word (John 8:11). He loves us too much to let us stay stagnant in our sin. He doesn’t sit idly by and watch us hurt ourselves or others.
Reflection
Mike has encouraged us to reflect as we approach the end of 2023. Have you been leaning too heavily on grace or truth this year? How can you move toward embracing the fullness of both virtues?
Prayer
Abba, thank You for being the fullness of grace and truth. I thank You for both Your forgiveness and Your correction. Both are essential to my wellbeing and my ability to spread Your love to those around me. Help me to look within myself and identify the areas in my life where I am leaning too heavily on either grace or truth. Humble me before You and show me how to cling to grace without forsaking truth, and acknowledge truth without forgetting Your grace. I love You, Father, and I thank You for the cross. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.