Author: Warren Berkley

(Truth Series #7)

Grace & Truth

John 1:17

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

“The law” God gave through Moses was that body of instruction for the Jewish people before Christ; to govern their nation and lead them to Christ. That body of instruction (contained in the Old Testament) was the truth from God those people were to live by.

While that law was true and came from a gracious God, John is announcing that the fullness of grace and truth “came through Jesus Christ.” GRACE because no human being deserved such consideration. TRUTH because all revelation from God is true for the time and people addressed. God, after all, “never lies,” (Titus 1:2).

The verse, therefore, should lead us to thank and praise God for His gracious work in Christ. The person and work of Jesus Christ finds its’ origin in the grace of God. We respond by obeying the truth.

Gratitude to God for this takes into account that what the law “could not do,” God did “by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin.” (Rom. 8:3).

We live under the law of Christ. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy …” (James 4:12). James refers to Christ’s law as “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25). “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). In speaking of his efforts to convert the Jews, Paul said, “To them that are without law (being not without law to God, but under the law of Christ), that I might gain them that are without law” (1 Corinthians 9:21).^[1]

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^[1] Britnell, E. (1986). Living Under the Law of Christ. (E. Harrell, Ed.)Christianity Magazine, 3(8), 19.

DO YOU LOVE

THE TRUTH?

2 Thess. 2:10

In his letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul issued vivid warnings of approaching lawlessness. Weak and worldly people would be easy prey. Those who loved the truth would remain steadfast and spiritually healthy.

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:9-12

This ought to lead me into a serious time of self-inquiry. DO I LOVE THE TRUTH? Do you love the truth?

If you love the truth, you will learn the truth, speak the truth, think truthfully and treat others according to what is true and fair.

If you love the truth, you will be able to defend the gospel against perversions, additions and false teaching.

If you love the truth, you will take responsibility to lead others to the truth of the gospel and encourage their spiritual growth.

If you love the truth, worshipping the God of all truth will be a priority. Praying to Him will strengthen you and confirm your commitment to His truth.

If you love the truth, you will hate sin and error. And you will do all you can to oppose sin, call sinners to repentance and speak boldly against all forms of error.

If you love the truth, you will attach yourself to others who exhibit that same commitment. Unity will be based on the truth of Scripture. Worship will be in spirit and in truth. Your daily life will convey to others that you love the truth of God.

Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” (Jno. 8:31,32).