And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28: 18-20

Extend Grace;

Speak Truth.

There are two actions that many Christians like to separate in how they interact with people, grace and truth. Many shout from the roof tops, “We must accept everyone just as they are!”, but they leave out the part that Jesus asks us not to stay in our sin. Then there are others who shout the opposite, “You must do as scripture teaches in order to be saved!”, while forgetting that Jesus dined with those others deemed unworthy of their time.

Scripture rightly handled teaches both. Jesus forgave the adulturess woman and then told her to go and sin no more. You see the two concepts are not to be compartmentalized, but rather joined together in such a way that fully exhibits the mercy and justness of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

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: 1-14 NKJV

You see Jesus himself is full of grace and truth. Not one or the other. And doing so requires those on both sides to humble themselves a bit and accept that both are necessary.

2 Timothy speaks on the importance of correctly teaching/sharing the Word of God.

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2: 14-15 NIV

It continues on to say we should avoid godless chatter as those who indulge in it become more and more ungodly and that they have departed from the truth. But, everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. God knows those who are his.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14 NKJV

We cannot earn our way into God’s good graces. Only through the acceptance of Christ dying on the cross for our sins are we able to receive the mercy God has extended to us, and with that comes the great opportunity to do good works that God has prepared for us. We have been graciously freed from our sin, and have the great joy of extending that same good news to others.

Not only do we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us, we have the word of God which contains all we need to know for life and godliness.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—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. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 14: 15-21 NKJV

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, andisprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3: 14-17 NKJV