Grace And Truth!

Jesus came into this world as the embodiment of "grace and truth". ( John 1:14) The grace God has provided through Christ is truly amazing grace. It is amazing because we are far from deserving it and God offers it anyway! That is why it is grace. If we could earn it, it would not be grace. ( Romans 11:6) However, how much do we APPRECIATE IT?

Grace is not as accommodating as some seem to think. Even during the first century of the church there were some who rejoiced at the thought of grace, but did not UNDERSTAND GRACE in its truth. Again, Jesus came "full of grace and truth." ( John 1:14) It is not one without the other. Grace does not do away with truth and the truth we have sin to be dealt with does not remove the blessing of grace. We need to accept God's grace in the truth of the relationship He desires for there to be between us and the Son. This is what reveals our APPRECIATION and UNDERSTANDING of it!

In Paul's letter to the church at Colossae he noted what they had come to UNDERSTAND when he stated. . .
"(4) since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, (5) because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, (6) which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing -- as it also does among you, since the day you heard it AND UNDERSTOOD THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH," ( Colossians 1:4-6 ESV)

Even here Paul associated the grace of God with truth. This implies the possibility of grace being viewed apart from the truth. Some thought (and perhaps many still do) that to go on sinning simply gives God the privilege of granting more grace. ( Romans 6:1-2 & 15) There are those who "pervert the grace of God" in thinking it allows us to live immoral lives and grace will just take care of it. ( Jude 4) The truth is that grace can be received in vain? ( 2 Corinthians 6:1)

In writing to Titus, Paul made it clear that to UNDERSTAND GRACE is to be trained or taught to renounce (say no to) ungodliness and worldly passions. ( Titus 2:11-12) Is God's grace impacting us in such a manner? If so, then our life is demonstrating we do APPRECIATE God's grace and UNDERSTAND the blessing and guide it is to be to our daily life. May we praise God that Jesus did come "full of grace and truth" ( John 1 :14) as we accept the gift of "the grace of God in truth."

Have a great day COMPELLED TO LIVE BY THE TRUTH OF GRACE!
Carl

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