Living in the tension - An inspirational short sermon series by The Commandment Co

Grace and truth don’t exactly go together, do they? Grace is mercy and though truth will set us free, it’ll probably tick us off before we can be set free. The tension is in balancing grace and truth; grace without truth is meaningless and truth without grace crushes people, but grace AND truth is medicine. Jesus lived in this tension, ministering grace and truth to others.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14  - Encouraging short sermons and devotionals compiled by The Commandment Co

The Pharisees could not understand how this Jesus taught the law, yet hung out with messed up people. But the thing is, Jesus isn’t shocked by our sin. Big sin or small sin, sin is sin and Jesus came in the flesh to dwell among us and empathise with us.

grace without truth is meaningless and truth without grace crushes people, but grace AND truth is medicine - Encouraging short sermons and devotionals compiled by The Commandment Co

It’s easy to react to a situation and the enemy wants us to react, but we need to respond. A reaction is quick but a response is deliberate. The Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus in the middle of his sermon and tried to trap Jesus by asking what should happen to her.

Jesus isn’t shocked by our sin. Big sin or small sin, sin is sin and Jesus came in the flesh to dwell among us and empathise with us  - Encouraging short sermons and devotionals compiled by The Commandment Co

The law said to stone her, but that wasn’t God’s heart. Jesus was caught in the tension between grace and truth, but he responded by writing in the dirt, as if he didn’t even hear the Pharisees, and then said, “he who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Jesus was saying “I see you and I know what you did” (truth) while taking care of her issues before she could realise (grace). Jesus’ response made everyone there realise, “I’m actually no different from this woman,” and they all left.

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 - Encouraging short sermons and devotionals compiled by The Commandment Co

Thank God we have a Saviour who is full of grace and truth. “Neither do I condemn you;” (grace) “go and sin no more.” (truth) God didn’t send Jesus to condemn, but sent Him as a Saviour!

 

Sermon by @robertmadu

March 18, 2021 — The Commandment Co