We live in a world that pushes us to extremes. Some choose brutal honesty without love—truth without grace. Others lean toward permissiveness that avoids hard conversations—grace without truth. But Jesus gives us another way.
In John 1, the apostle introduces Jesus as the eternal Logos—the Word who was with God and was God. He is the Creator, the light of the world, and the source of all life. But then comes a stunning shift in verse 14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory… full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Jesus Came Close
The eternal Word didn’t stay distant. He “became flesh”—fully God, fully man—and stepped into our world. John says He “made His dwelling among us,” which literally means He “tabernacled” with us, just like God's presence in the Old Testament.
Jesus entered the mess, pain, and brokenness of humanity. He didn’t wait for us to clean up our act. He came close.
And how did He come?
“Full of grace and truth.” Not a little of each. Not balancing between them. Full of both. Always merciful, yet never compromising.
Grace means God moves toward us when we don’t deserve it.
Truth means God doesn’t pretend we’re fine—He names our brokenness.
Grace Upon Grace
John 1:16–17 continues: “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
This is good news for every weary soul. Out of His fullness, Jesus pours out unending grace—grace upon grace—like waves that keep coming. You don’t get one chance at grace. You get a continuous supply from the overflow of Christ.
Yes, the law came through Moses. It was good, but it couldn’t save. It revealed the truth but not the power to change. Jesus came not only to show the truth but to embody grace and enable transformation.
You don’t earn grace and truth—you receive them.
Living in the Tension: Grace and Truth
The modern church often splits into camps:
But Jesus never picked sides. He lived in the tension. He modeled compassionate conviction—mercy without moral compromise. And He calls His followers to do the same.
If we ever feel like we must choose between grace or truth, we’re missing Jesus.
A Picture of Both: The Woman Caught in Adultery
Religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They’re ready to stone her, quoting the law. Jesus doesn’t deny the truth of her sin. But He also doesn’t give them the outcome they expect. Instead, He says: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”
The crowd disperses. Then He looks at the woman and says: “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus doesn’t compromise the law, nor does He crush the sinner. He saves, then calls her to live a new life.
Receiving Grace and Truth Today - How do we live like Jesus in a polarized world?
1. Believe God Comes Close
You don’t have to hide your shame or earn your way back. Invite Jesus into your mess. He comes full of grace and truth. Like a lifeguard, He dives in when you’re drowning—but He also tells you to stop fighting and let Him rescue you.
2. Receive What You Can’t Earn
“From His fullness we have all received…” John 1:16
Jesus isn’t stingy. He’s overflowing. Come back to Him daily for fresh grace. Not just for forgiveness—but for power to live changed.
3. Let Grace Free You From Shame and Into Obedience
“How much more… will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences…” Hebrews 9:14
Grace clears your guilt. You don’t have to rehearse your past—release it. Then step forward into a new way of living.
“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Romans 6:1–2
Real grace doesn’t make sin safe—it makes obedience possible.
“The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness…” Titus 2:11–12
In a divided world, be someone who holds both grace and truth—not because it’s easy, but because that’s who Jesus is. He came full of grace and truth. And now, He fills us—so we can live the same way.
In John 1, the apostle introduces Jesus as the eternal Logos—the Word who was with God and was God. He is the Creator, the light of the world, and the source of all life. But then comes a stunning shift in verse 14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory… full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Jesus Came Close
The eternal Word didn’t stay distant. He “became flesh”—fully God, fully man—and stepped into our world. John says He “made His dwelling among us,” which literally means He “tabernacled” with us, just like God's presence in the Old Testament.
Jesus entered the mess, pain, and brokenness of humanity. He didn’t wait for us to clean up our act. He came close.
And how did He come?
“Full of grace and truth.” Not a little of each. Not balancing between them. Full of both. Always merciful, yet never compromising.
Grace means God moves toward us when we don’t deserve it.
Truth means God doesn’t pretend we’re fine—He names our brokenness.
Grace Upon Grace
John 1:16–17 continues: “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
This is good news for every weary soul. Out of His fullness, Jesus pours out unending grace—grace upon grace—like waves that keep coming. You don’t get one chance at grace. You get a continuous supply from the overflow of Christ.
Yes, the law came through Moses. It was good, but it couldn’t save. It revealed the truth but not the power to change. Jesus came not only to show the truth but to embody grace and enable transformation.
You don’t earn grace and truth—you receive them.
Living in the Tension: Grace and Truth
The modern church often splits into camps:
- Truth without grace becomes harsh, legalistic, judgmental.
- Grace without truth becomes soft, compromising, superficial.
But Jesus never picked sides. He lived in the tension. He modeled compassionate conviction—mercy without moral compromise. And He calls His followers to do the same.
If we ever feel like we must choose between grace or truth, we’re missing Jesus.
A Picture of Both: The Woman Caught in Adultery
Religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They’re ready to stone her, quoting the law. Jesus doesn’t deny the truth of her sin. But He also doesn’t give them the outcome they expect. Instead, He says: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”
The crowd disperses. Then He looks at the woman and says: “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
- Grace: “Neither do I condemn you.”
- Truth: “Leave your life of sin.”
Jesus doesn’t compromise the law, nor does He crush the sinner. He saves, then calls her to live a new life.
Receiving Grace and Truth Today - How do we live like Jesus in a polarized world?
1. Believe God Comes Close
You don’t have to hide your shame or earn your way back. Invite Jesus into your mess. He comes full of grace and truth. Like a lifeguard, He dives in when you’re drowning—but He also tells you to stop fighting and let Him rescue you.
2. Receive What You Can’t Earn
“From His fullness we have all received…” John 1:16
Jesus isn’t stingy. He’s overflowing. Come back to Him daily for fresh grace. Not just for forgiveness—but for power to live changed.
3. Let Grace Free You From Shame and Into Obedience
“How much more… will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences…” Hebrews 9:14
Grace clears your guilt. You don’t have to rehearse your past—release it. Then step forward into a new way of living.
“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Romans 6:1–2
Real grace doesn’t make sin safe—it makes obedience possible.
“The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness…” Titus 2:11–12
In a divided world, be someone who holds both grace and truth—not because it’s easy, but because that’s who Jesus is. He came full of grace and truth. And now, He fills us—so we can live the same way.
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