Grace and truth together

Scripture: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

The church has always wrestled with the tension between grace and truth. We want to hold to God’s standards but also extend His mercy. The problem is, we tend to treat them like opposite ends of a scale — trying to balance one with the other. But Jesus didn’t balance them; He embodied both fully.

When He met the woman caught in adultery, He said, “Neither do I condemn you,” — that’s grace. Then He said, “Go and sin no more,” — that’s truth. In Him, compassion and conviction never clashed. Grace didn’t lower the bar, and truth didn’t withhold love. Together, they revealed the heart of God.

As His followers, we’re called to the same. To live in a way that doesn’t water down truth or weaponize it — but lets grace make truth come alive. When we embody both, people don’t just hear what we believe; they feel who Jesus is.

Reflection: Which comes more naturally to you — grace or truth? How can you lean into the one you struggle with today?

Prayer: Jesus, You are grace and truth. Help me reflect both — loving deeply and standing firmly, just like You.