Friday, October 19, 2007

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, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth… For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:14 &17.

Over the last few years a few of my friends have been told some supposed “home truth’s” all in the name of living by the standard of grace and truth. It is said in a most ungracious way…its all about “grace and truth, now let me tell you how you are wrong brother/sister”.

It breaks my heart, how can words of liberation and salvation become words used as a weapon against other Christians? Their definition of truth appears to be “judgment”, and correction. If that is how it should be understood, how do we understand 2 John saying “I love you in the truth, and walk in the truth”? (Whether or not you concede that John and 2 John were written by the same person, I would argue that there are clear links between the two to indicate that they should be understood together.) 2 John 1:3’s understanding of truth is obeying the law of Love commanded by Christ. Grace and love for each other. Or how do we understand Jesus saying that the truth as set you free? I have always understood truth as liberating, exciting and something you can depend upon. Now don't get me wrong, I think we all need to be accountable for our actions, but we need to be held to account in a gracious and loving way.



Words of liberation and life being used as words of oppression and death?

Sunday, October 14, 2007

My First blog

After a number of months reading other people’s blogs and feeling slightly voyeuristic, it seems inevitable that I would be writing my own. If you read this blog as it develops, I would love to hear your thoughts (I enjoy discussion and debate that is not nasty or personal). A verse that is challenging to me is...



“He has shown you, oh man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)




Perhaps the conundrum today is that I am writting a blog???