How do I offer both grace and truth fully, like Jesus? He did not find “the perfect balance” between the two. Rather, he completely embodies both.

I struggle sometimes with the concept of standards, being afraid to lower them while at the same time realizing that people aren’t perfect, and I can’t expect them to be. There is a voice that whispers in my ear, the voice of the Pharisee, not to compromise. But that voice is not truth, it is fear. Instead, I choose to listen to the voice of the Spirit. I ask, “How did you do it, Jesus, never compromising righteousness while offering grace?” I don’t know how to do that, and I am struck breathless both by the need for it and by how I fail to do it. And yet Jesus, being absolutely true to who he is, offers so much grace for me even in this.

It is only because of his utter lack of condemnation that I can recognize the weight of my own sin. Any speck of condemnation would destroy me. I would have to protect myself with defensiveness or denial or compromise, and so I couldn’t face the truth. But Jesus, in his grace, is bearing the burden of truth so it won’t crush me. I can completely rest in his righteousness, his yoke on my shoulders, somehow protecting me so that all the weight of the truth of my sin rests on his shoulders.

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

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

Thank you, Jesus, for bearing the burden of my sin and for the life-giving power of your grace that frees us to live in truth. May I embody your grace for others as well.