Grace and Truth

 October 25, 2023

Early in John’s gospel, he speaks of Jesus in these words: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…full of grace & truth.” (1:14). His choice of words is interesting to me. Christians often speak of grace—the unmerited favor of God. Christians also often speak of truth. Truth matters. Later in the gospel, John remembers Jesus saying, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” We live in a time when truth has been relativized. “You have your truth, and I have mine,” we are told. The problem with this is its subjectivity. Such thinking shuts down communication, for without a common understanding of reality, there can be no communication.

There are many reasons behind our culture’s jettisoning of truth. Part of it stems from the desire to have no boundaries to inhibit our actions. Part of it stems from the Church beating people over the head with truth. We can be a hard-hearted bunch. John gives us the balance we need. 

We need truth because only with truth can we see life correctly. Though I have little expectation of it, I want our politicians to tell the truth. I don’t want my doctor to say, “My truth says you are just fine,” when in fact, I am desperately sick. 

We need truth, words that align with reality. We need grace because we are so deeply flawed. If God gave us what we deserve, we all would be damned. His love for us is behind his grace to us. That grace was manifested in God’s Son Jesus Christ, who gave his life on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. Truth reveals my problem. Grace solves it. Both are needed, and both need to be communicated. By itself, Truth can be harsh and heartless. By itself, Grace can be soft and powerless. Together, they are a powerful combination that can transform a life.