“(John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:15-18).
What would people say are your two best characteristics? Maybe they would say that you are “cheerful,” or “loving and gentle.” For others, it may be “adventurous and fearless,” or “quiet and kind.” But think about the implications of someone being described by “grace and truth.”
These two qualities are very powerful for us to consider. Jesus is the complete embodiment of grace and truth. He is the source of grace, and the source of truth. The richness of these two qualities flows directly from our Savior. The more we know Jesus, the more grace and truth can flow through our lives. Is your desire to grow more in grace and truth?
Essentially, grace is God’s favor. It is the overflow of God’s unlimited kindness to all people. Grace is not something we deserve. When God chooses to grant favor, it is entirely His doing. Grace is not something we earn, nor is it something that we can buy. God’s grace towards us is fully expressed through Jesus. Jesus is the living example of God’s grace.
Truth has to do with what is real. We don’t always like the truth, and we may not always want to accept it. The mother who says, “My child is an angel,” even after seeing her son captured on video destroying school property, is not accepting the truth. Whether or not we like it, truth has to do with the way things really are. Truth can be tested. It is irrefutable. Jesus is the fullness of truth. He is also the fullness of grace.
We know that our lives are properly aligned with God when grace and truth flow freely. Instead of swift judgment when others sin, grace should be our first response. Grace should serve as our filter. Truth is equally important. We need to know the realities of the way things are. Truth does not sacrifice grace, and grace does not sacrifice the truth.
Read: Open your Bible and read Ephesians 2:8-9.
Reflect: Consider the following: Am I extending the same grace to others as God has extended to me? Is there a truth that I am ignoring?
Respond: As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?
The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.