Full of Grace and Truth

Day Twenty One          

Full of Grace and Truth         

II Corinthians 5:11-21

What does John mean when he tells us that Jesus, the Word made flesh, was “full of grace and truth”? Let’s think about what it means to be “filled” in this way. We sometimes describe optimists as “half-full” people, whereas pessimists are called “half-empty.” We imagine a half-filled glass of water and then judge people on the basis of how they interpret what they see. Of course, most of us are neither total optimists nor utter pessimists. Generally, we’re a bit of both. Depending upon our circumstances we often see things differently. In other regards, too, we tend to be a mixture of darkness and light. Nine times out of ten we can respond calmly to the situations we encounter; but on the tenth occasion we can erupt with frustration and anger. We are a mixture of good and evil. The struggle between our old nature and our new creation in Christ continues throughout our lives. One day, sin may appear to be in the ascendency; the next day we may celebrate a victory of grace. We are not really “full of grace and truth.” Both grace and the ugliness of sin reside within us. Truth and error are often to be found in equal measure. But in Jesus Christ the fullness of grace was found. In Him was no trace of error. In Him there is grace and only grace; in Him there is truth and only truth.

One of the greatest stains on Christian witness is inconsistency. At its worst we call it hypocrisy. To be a hypocrite is to knowingly do the opposite of what you know you ought to do, and what you say you will do. It is to affirm a certain set of beliefs and values, and to act in violation of the principles you espouse. Contrary to what the world will tell you, outright hypocrisy is relatively rare in Christian circles. Nevertheless, we all act inconsistently. Sometimes our failures are intentional, but more often they are merely incidental. We did not really intend to break the moral code, yet we did. Our inattention caused us to revert to the habits of our life before Christ. We did not mean to sin, but in a moment the act was done, the lie was told, the promise was broken. Goodness gave way to evil; grace was, momentarily, overcome.

Grace was never overcome in Jesus. In Him, principle and practice met. He was filled with grace, there was no room for sin; in Him truth overflowed, error was banished. Unlike us, Jesus was not a battleground for opposites. That’s why we can trust Him absolutely. Unqualified grace and unadulterated truth met in a manger, in Bethlehem.

Father God, come and dwell in me, by Your Holy Spirit, until my dreams and deeds are one. I know that I shall not be perfect until I see my Savior face to face, yet this I ask: in the struggles I shall face today, may I be filled, more and more, with Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.