GRACE AND TRUTH - By Chuck Ryor
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” - JOHN 1:14
Churches under construction aren’t usually a sight to behold.
The church today is like the church has always been … a work in progress.
When zealous Christians declare (as I once did) that they want the church to be like it was in the Acts of the Apostles, I now ask, “Really? You want its leaders jailed (Acts 4)? You want people to drop dead on the spot because they lie about how much they give to the church (Acts 5)? You want division along racial lines (Acts 6)? You want evangelists executed (Acts 7)? You want the church so persecuted that it has to leave the country (Acts 8)?”
Usually the young and zealous want the prophecy without the painful persecution, and the sanctification without the presence of stinging sin.
Over the years I’ve heard people comment about “the atmosphere” at churches. Initially, I quip, “Is the air conditioner not working?” But I know what they mean. They’re talking about the spiritual atmosphere. I wonder where would anyone get the notion that THEY had the ability to see into the spirit realm and gauge a church’s spiritual “atmosphere”? Neither the term “atmosphere” nor the concept are found in the Bible. Ultimately, these folks have a handful of erroneous notions.
First, they think they can judge the overall picture of a church by looking at a few people who are cavalier about their own obedience to God’s Word. Second, they imagine that they are capable of sensing an ungodly spiritual “atmosphere” (for the love of Augustine, I don’t know where anyone would find this concept in Scripture or orthodox theology). Finally, they don’t think that they’re in any way responsible for the perceived spiritual holes in the proverbial church ozone.
I’ve seen this person and been this person. This person lacks grace.
A church, a preacher, or a small group leader can teach Scripture’s commands, call others to follow Jesus, and attempt to live their faith out imperfectly in front of people. But they can’t manufacture obedience in believers. The Old Testament prophets found this out the hard way (see Jeremiah, the weeping prophet). The New Testament Apostles (with all of their “first century charismatic power”) couldn’t make people be honest or keep them from sinning outrageously (study the Corinthian church if you need a primer on this subject).
That said, churches and Christians that ignore Scripture’s teachings will give an account to God for not proclaiming His Word. These churches (and the Christians influenced by them) imagine at some level that God doesn’t really care if we disobey some or all of the Bible. The Apostle James is clear: “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27. NIV)
Many only embrace half of James 1:27. Some care for the needy and widow, but ignore the directive to keep themselves from being polluted by the world (the personal, moral commands of God). Others embrace commands to avoid moral impurity, but disregard entirely the clear teaching of Scripture to look after orphans and widows in distress. Still some ignore the Bible altogether. These errors are the result of ignoring God’s Word.
I’ve seen this person and been this person. This person lacks truth.
Our church’s mission is to reflect the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. I don’t think that on this side of eternity we’re ever going to see or be the perfect church. However, I do think a church’s maximum potential for impact will only be realized when it strives to be both a church of grace AND truth.
Churches that teach accurate doctrine about grace can lack practical patience and kindness toward one another, not to mention the world. Churches that are exuberant about showing the love of Jesus through justice and mercy can lack a willingness to proclaim the entire truth of Scripture for every area of life.
I firmly believe that the only western culture churches that will last the 21st century will be the ones equally committed to both grace and truth. Why? Because that is how Scripture describes the glory we have seen in Jesus.
And the purpose of the body of Christ is always to exhibit His glory in our world.