Grace and Truth

Grace and Truth

By James Barron and Bill Snell

Some who are antagonistic to our teaching on the “finished work of Christ” have suggested that we find a balance – a balance of “grace and truth” as if they are opposites. Could it be that “grace critics” see “truth” as being equivalent to the law? If that were true, then the criticisms would be accurate because law and grace do not mix. However, the law is harsh and unbending, forever condemning our failure in the slightest offence. Grace, on the other hand, teaches us through a new and better covenant that Jesus fulfilled the law in every aspect (dot and tittle), whereby taking upon Himself our sins and sinful condition in order to form a new creation for everyone who would believe; saved, righteous, justified, and sanctified.

We want to make it clear that not only is grace compatible with truth, they are bosom buddies:

John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:17
“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

The word “truth” means “reality” in the Greek. The law only showed us “shadows” of the good things to come in Christ, but Jesus brought the reality of those things and grace would be the basis for all those good things coming for mankind. The reality of union with God Himself through Christ by the gift of the Spirit is in fact the essence of the truth that sets one free.

Paul the apostle said that he was no longer under the law (1 Cor. 9:20). Galatians 5:18 says, “all who are led by the Spirit are not under the law.” We know that every believer has the Spirit as a pledge of the promises of God (2 Cor. 1:22), and every believer is led by the Spirit whether He is fully followed or not.

Jesus came into the world to testify of the truth, to the real, the invisible reality behind all that is seen and all that was made. He came to show us the Father and all that He is and all that He does. He came to reveal the God of all grace. To see Jesus was to see the Father.

Grace2u,

James Barron and Bill Snell