IN GOD WE TRUST—4WHEN CHRISTIANS GET IT WRONG
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ... 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5, 14 NIV
HOW DO WE FAITHFULLY REPRESENT JESUS IN A POST-CHRISTIAN CULTURE?
• We are called to live and love with grace and truth.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV
• pleres—filled to the brim, abounding in, thoroughly full.
Grace Saves
Truth Frees
• Problem #1: Truth without grace leads to rebellion.
• Problem #2: Grace without truth leads to relativism.
• charis—the undeserved kindness, favor, and goodwill of God.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2 NIV
TALK IT OVER
Do you tend to extend more grace or more truth to others? How about to yourself?
Who are some of the people you’d like to get better at extending grace to? How could that play out?
Reach out with grace to one person in your life who may feel judged, excluded, or hurt by your belief. Ask them how you can get better at
showing them love.
Start the In God We Trust Bible Plan using Plans With Friends: www.go2.lc/trust
