From my reading in John 1:1-28 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus came to earth to live as a man. He was fully God and fully human. He showed us what God is like! He showed us God because he showed us himself.

“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

The two characteristics John decided to use to describe Jesus were grace and truth. He wasn’t seeking a balance of grace and truth; he was both at once!

God has always been full of grace and truth! Jesus was the perfect example of what grace and truth look like lived out.

Grace

Jesus came to offer the gift of grace. Jesus died to give us those gifts. In his life, he showed grace to sinners and spoke lovingly to those who needed compassion and mercy. He was quick to forgive those who would humbly come to him.

Truth

Jesus never compromised the truth. He spoke firmly against those who were leading others away from the truth. Jesus said “I am… the truth.” Jesus was not afraid to go against what was popular in the culture if the truth was at stake.

We Need Grace and Truth

Those of us who follow Jesus need to live with grace and truth. Those who don’t exhibit grace can become harsh and judgmental, like the campus sign holders.

Without truth, you can not really help people be set free, because you are telling them what they want to hear instead of what will really change their lives!

Don’t neglect either. Seek to follow Jesus and live your life giving people grace and telling the truth; you may just change someone’s life!

For a great short book on this subject check out Randy Alcon’s book The Grace And Truth Paradox.

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