Nuggets 3: Judgement or Warm Fuzzies

  • B. Shelburne
  • May 12, 2008
  • Series: Nuggets

John describes Jesus as "full of grace and truth."  I am astonished at how Jesus combines the two.  People listened to Jesus because they immediately sensed how loved and valued they were to him.  Yet ironically no one was plainer than Jesus in telling people the truth about themselves and about God. 

We tend to think it must be either grace or truth.  We and our churches often run to one end or the other-- all encouragement and warm fuzzies or else stern judgment and exclusion.  Actually grace and truth are not mutually exclusive.  They must be combined as Jesus did for there to be "sound doctrine" and a healing gospel.  Grace without truth leads to endless sin with without repentance or accountability.  Truth without grace makes us self-righteous, arrogant judges whose "gospel" would repel and demoralize anyone.
 
There's no good news without grace.  Grace brings forgiveness, peace, and assurance of God's acceptance.  Grace also "teaches us to deny ungodliness and live sober, righteous lives."  Grace motivates far more obedience than law ever can.  But it deals in truth. 
 
"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other."  God make us able to "speak the truth in love." 
 
John 1:14;  Titus 2:1-3:2;  John 12:32;  Psalm 85:10 NIV;  Ephesians 4:11-15
 
--------
 

TO SUBSCRIBE free, email   TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to   To communicate with us directly, email   Past issues of Nuggets are archived at www.shbi.org/content/nuggets/nuggets.htm. 

 

Copyright 2006 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons. 

Any scripture quotes, unless otherwise indicated, are from the HOLY BIBLE:  NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1978 and 1984 by the New York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

 

Tuition-free evening classes:  www.shbi.org

Distance Learning Bible courses:  www.shbi.org/content/distance/distancelearn.htm

To support SHBI's ministry:  www.shbi.org/content/finances/finances.htm