Under God?Sample

Grace + Truth = Life

This Bible Plan asks the question, are we Under God? These two words come from the United States’ Pledge of Allegiance which ends like this, “with liberty and justice for all.” Liberty and justice, in their purest sense, go far beyond U.S. ideals—they’re biblical. We have freedom in Christ because of His grace, and we serve a God who calls us to act justly and love mercy. Actually, liberty and justice have always been available for any human in any country because they come from God Himself.

Truth is not just a what. It’s a who.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus called Himself the way, the truth, and the life. How is Jesus the way? Well, justice would have meant forever death and separation from God for us. But by grace, Jesus gave His life in our place. He, by His grace, is our way. How is He truth? Hebrews describes Jesus as one who was tempted in every way we are, yet never gave in. He is not divided by desire. His actions are true to His words. He is truth embodied. Jesus is liberty and justice. He is grace and truth.

Jesus also said if we’ve seen Him, we’ve see the Father. So we know God is also full of grace and truth. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth. So, whether you’re living in the U.S., which is becoming a post-Christian culture, or Europe which has been a secular region for years, or a nation that declares itself of one faith or another, you can be certain of one thing. If you, yourself, are living under God, you should be shaped by Him, you should filled by His Spirit, and living like His Son. You should be grace and truth. Are you?

You know what’s so amazing about grace? It attracts people to Jesus and forgives our brokenness. Then, truth brings people into full life in Him. Remember, He is the way (grace), the truth, and the life. Notice the order? They go together. For too long our churches have only been known for truth. But without both grace and truth, there is no life.

So do we hide the truth of the God’s Word and change to fit our cultures? No. Micah 6:8 calls us to act justly. Not just speak truth, but also live it out. But it says to walk humbly and love mercy too. Not just admire humility; walk it. Not just be merciful, but love it! So let’s lead with grace as we introduce people to Jesus, His Father, and the Spirit who are fully grace, fully truth, and who are fully capable of bringing us into life, and life to the full!

Pray: Jesus, You are grace and truth. Will You humble me? Train me to love giving people mercy. Will You lead me to relationships with people who need grace before truth? Amen.