There is a great sense of real freedom found in the balance of God’s grace and truth. It is a freedom from anguish and despair. It is a freedom from guilt and condemnation. It is a freedom from anxiety, depression and shame. It is a freedom from every kind of fear. This freedom is found as God is glorified when grace and truth intersect in a beautiful and powerful balance.
This balance brings real peace of soul to us and glory to our Creator God, the Lord God Almighty. It is found in the grace and truth of God’s Word made real as it is expressed through the life and testimony of Jesus Christ. Consider these powerful realities.
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)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
RELEVANCE
Consider that this realm of freedom is a freedom experienced by abiding in God’s presence through the very real indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a freedom to participate in what our Heavenly Father is doing. It is a freedom to experience the real inner joy found in the presence, grace gifts and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This reality is ours for the asking—and believing, rather trusting God to experience it. So, consider also these powerful spiritual realities.
- God’s glory is exhibited and expressed in His grace and truth
- God’s glory finds fulfillment when grace and truth are realized
- God’s glory is manifested through the grace gifts and truth revealed by the Holy Spirit
- God’s glory is experienced as His disciples worship freely in spirit and truth
Truly, the hallmark reality of the New Covenant is experiencing the grace and truth of God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can experience this in a variety of situations. That’s why we enjoy hearing testimonies where God illustrated His faithfulness, performed His promises and poured out grace in the lives of others. This demonstrates how a relationship with God finds its strength and vitality seeing the truth of God’s Word performed.
Our faith is also strengthened as we embrace the reality and active presence of the Holy Spirit. It is why Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of truth three times and emphasizes the active ministry of the Holy Spirit.
If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:15-18)
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (John 15:26)
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12-15)
Can you behold these realities? To behold is to see with eyes of faith; faith that believes and trusts God, His Word, His power, His love; faith that can find joy in trials; faith that acts to experience God’s glory. Such beholding is a grace gift of God realized through the active presence of the Holy Spirit—the Comforter and revealer of truth. Such beholding strengthens our heart and enlightens our mind. It’s ours for the asking and believing.
Thank You, Holy Spirit! Thank You for revealing the grace and truth of God. Thank You for enabling us to behold and experience the love, power and glory of God.
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
Meditate on these realities of the grace and truth of God and presence of the Holy Spirit. Meditate on these scriptures. Find encouragement in God’s promises. Engage with God around these realities. See how God leads with grace, brings forth truth and wisdom, and brings forth His correction in love and mercy.
The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:9)