Editorial by Connie Duarte

John 1:14 – 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.

When it comes to telling others about Jesus and his kingdom, John 1:14 has served as an inspiration and guide for me for many years. As followers of Jesus Christ, we work towards being just like him – in both grace and truth, and just like Jesus, those attributes need to dwell with us.  

Let’s begin with grace.  

Grace is great! Jesus was kind, comfortable, gentle, compassionate, great to have around – even at parties. People like people of grace. They are forgiving, pleasant, and kind. But grace without truth is complicated. How do you know what a graceful person is really like? Maybe they are being kind and compassionate because they want something. Maybe they just want to be liked or to make us feel better?  

Let’s not forget truth. 

So, grace without truth cannot necessarily be trusted. We need truthful people. Truthful people tell us what is real, and what the difference is between right and wrong. Truthful people are passionate about the truth. They can see the road to justice, and they know where evil is trying to hide. Truth people are important to have around, and they are easy to admire, but when truth is presented without grace, it also becomes complicated. Truth without grace can lead to arrogance, self-righteousness, a tool to judge others and a way to abuse or bully others.  

Grace-people want to be loved and truth-people want to be right, even if that means that people don’t like them. Both can be wrong and can lead us away from Jesus instead of towards him. Jesus was full of grace – but not everyone liked him. Jesus was full of truth – and people were still drawn to him. Grace and truth need to be lived out in their fullness and not just 50/50! Jesus didn’t balance grace and truth – he had them in their fullness, and he lived them in their fullness as he dwelled with us. 

Jesus implanted that DNA into all of those who have chosen to follow Him and become children of God. We are also called to manifest grace and truth in their fullness. When we put grace and truth into action, we don’t do it to win a prize, to impress God, or to try and get something from Him. Grace cannot be earned but is freely given and so we receive it with thankfulness. We put grace and truth into action because we are imitating our Lord and because the closer we come to Jesus the more like Him we become. His fullness begins to fill us. His grace and truth first do their work in us. 

Grace and truth working together. 

Grace and truth need to dwell in us and be manifested in and through us. We are bearers of the truth, the whole truth, not just bits and pieces that make us comfortable. We don’t choose to leave sin, death and punishment out of the salvation story just because it might offend someone. We cannot hold back the truth on biblical values and morals. We cannot pretend that we can come to God any other way but through Jesus Christ – even if that seems narrow-minded and restrictive. The truth is the Truth, and it will set people free while a lie merely makes people temporarily comfortable. 

But all those truths are wrapped in genuine and compassionate grace. The truth we share isn’t harsh and judgmental. It is freeing and leads to a joy-filled life. We share truth through grace. We are compassionate, kind, and gentle with the truth we have been given, never forcing it on anyone but never hiding it either.  

I Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  

Live the truth, and live and share it with grace. 

Image credits: Aaron Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash