Truth Be ToldSample

Grace and Truth. If you’ve been attending church for a while, you’ve probably heard these two words before. You’ve actually probably heard them so often that you don’t even think twice about what they mean anymore, they’re just words you’ve heard over and over again. Even though you may not think much about what grace and truth mean anymore, they are two very important things in our walks with Jesus. Have you ever had someone notice where you may be struggling yet they only offer grace and no truth of where you have messed up? Or maybe it is the other way around, they were brutally honest with you about where you are struggling or how you messed up yet are harsh and offer no grace. With too much grace, there may be a lack of truth. With too much truth, there may be a lack of grace. Grace and Truth go hand in hand when it comes to standing up for the truths of Jesus and the lies/unbeliefs of the world.

When you’re at school, in your workplace, with your friends, or even at home with your family, how you speak truth using grace can change depending on who you are with and what environment you may be in. It’s easy to offer grace to those you do not know that well because you do not know how honest you can be with someone you hardly know but that does not mean speak no truth. It is possible to speak truth with grace even to those you don’t have a close relationship with, especially if it is someone who has questions or has stated something about Jesus that is contradictory to what the Word of God says. However, in contrast to that, it is very easy to speak the truth and lack grace with those you know well. These are your close friends and family who know you very well and you know well. Why do you think we tend to lack grace with those we know well? It may be because they already know what you believe and the truth you stand on yet seek arguments contrary to the truth you believe. It may be because they are making decisions and not living for the Lord like they used to and it has led you to become sad or frustrated with the path they are choosing to go down, so when they come to you time and time again you become weary of showing grace. Whatever the situation may be, truth and grace have to be combined in order to honor the Lord. There is not a time where Jesus spoke truth and lacked grace, or only had grace with little truth.

This week, we will be studying what grace and truth looks like. Jesus was the perfect example of this in action. As believers, our purpose is to be made more like Jesus everyday. To be sanctified and to be made more holy, learning how to speak in grace and truth is an act of obedience that Jesus calls us to. Pray this week for understanding and conviction of where truth and grace is needed towards other people within your life.