Grace and Truth

Thank the Lord for Jesus and the gift that is given of salvation and grace.

Listening to these sermons and unpacking the ten commandments in a new way has been so sweet and so challenging. It is just a continuous reminder that YWHY is infinite and endless and my human brain is not capable of fully understanding the character of God. To hear entire sermons unpacking the single phrase, "do not bear false witness." Wow this is something that before I would have read or heard as part of the commandments and moved past, but to unpack the verses challenges me and encourages me to grow. 

Two things, that I am walking away from this sermon with.

1) Last summer, I was just a little bit sick when we went out as a driver team for Grace & Truth. I wasn't exactly able to fully participate and can't remember much from the conversation other than the burger! I don't have a lot written down from that day and I think that being a part of leading something like this day is something that has been on my mind and that I have been in prayer about in regards to preparing for this summer. In the sermon, DJ uses the phrase Grace and Truth! 

Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. Truth without Grace can become oppressive legalism. Grace without truth can become sentimental relativism. We need to stand with both feet in truth and both feet in Grace! Truth builds up relationship. Truth spoken in love builds up. YWHY is God of truth. Jesus is the way, the Truth. YWHY does not and cannot lie.

Hearing this brought clarity and understanding to what is meant by Grace and Truth. It is to tell the truth as God tells the Truth. To love others and to do it with Grace!

2) This is difficult for me to do, but something that I am continually growing in. My Barney summer at Sonshine was the first time that while reading Mere Christianity I was able to identify the way my competitive nature impacted the way that I served and lived. It is in this way, that I tell lies to myself. I have been mindful of this at college. It is a bit of a tough environment as we are here at a Christian school in community and attempting to grow in faith, but when we hit the classroom there is a bit of a shift. We do build each other up and encourage each other, but I personally fall into the trap of comparing my work to others and needing to be the best. I want to produce good work for the kingdom, but I need to continue to grow in my ability to have Grace for others and to see there work as their good truth!

I am thankful for the sermon this morning. God is continually answering prayers and bringing peace as we prepare for summer!