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"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).

This last Sunday we sang "Joy To The World" which continues to be one of the most beloved hymns sung during the Christmas season written over 300 years ago by Isaac Watts. The fourth verse begins with, "He rules the world with truth and grace", likely based on our daily text, where the "Word became flesh" (Jesus) is described as "full of grace and truth".

In the last five years pandemic, a word I seldom heard before, became common of course when referring to a specific virus. But there's a pandemic the entire human race has been living with ever since the fall, the pandemic of sin. Today let's consider one of sin's manifestations that is surely part of sin's pandemic, the act of lying.

Throughout my lifetime it sure seems like lying has been on the increase. In fact I hate to admit this but I am on my guard to the extent that I just assume I am being lied to in particular settings like internet marketers. I could list recent examples but each of you have your own experiences so you know of that which I am speaking.

In recent years we've heard "truth" preceded by a pronoun such as "his truth" or "her truth" or "my truth". In an obituary the writer spoke of a deceased woman who "lived her truth". What does that even mean?*

As believers, truth is truth and lies are lies based on God's standard of truth, not what we think or would like others to think.

The first liar was Satan at the Fall, which earned him the designated title, "father of lies" (John 8:44). The human race has certainly followed his disastrous example!

But the Scripture calls God's children to truthfulness. It's expressed in the Ten Commandments as "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). One who is pleasing to God “speaks truth from his heart” (Psalm 15:2). God desires "truth in the innermost being" (Psalm 51:6).

The New Testament forthrightly states, "Do not lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9) and to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Later in the same chapter Paul admonishes, “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor” (4:25). And a sobering verse toward the end of Revelation says that "all liars" are among those "consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Revelation 21:8).

Today let us examine the phrase in our daily text, "full of grace and truth". In previous considerations of this verse concerning the incarnate Word of God (Jesus) it seems I have focused on grace. Today let's also consider that God is full of truth.

Later in John's Gospel Jesus said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6). The absolute truthfulness of God is found throughout the Bible. Numbers 23:19 informs us that "God is not man, that He should lie". 1 Samuel 15:29 states, "the Glory of Israel will not lie". The little book of Titus has this gem, that God "never lies" (1:2). Hebrews 6:18 assures us that "it is impossible for God to lie".

Theologian Wayne Grudem writes, "God’s truthfulness means that He is the true God, and that all His knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth".

What a blessing to consider this advent season that Jesus is full of grace and truth. In following His example let us also spread His grace and truth to all those within our sphere of influence!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, in a world filled with lies and half-truths, may we stand out as a people who can be trusted in the words we say,  in the actions we carry out, and in the promises we keep. We thank You for Jesus who walked in grace, truth, and obedience knowing from the beginning that it would lead to death on the cross. Jesus didn't back off His stated plan for coming to earth when the going got tough nor did He lie when He was under deadly pressure. Help us to be an honest people who tells the truth as it is, not as we or others would like it to be, when pressure is upon us. We want to honor You with our lives and with the words we speak, living as people full of grace and truth. Amen.

* Just this morning I read an article so illustrative of this point. In 2006 several North Carolina college (Duke) Lacrosse players were accused of rape and it made the national news and caused quite a stir. The accuser now admits she made up the story. She now says, "I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn't and that was wrong, and I betrayed the trust of a lot of other people who believed in me, I made up a story that wasn't true because I wanted validation from people and not from God".

In reading the news story I found another statement very interesting in light of the "my truth" sentiment. "She may have actually believed the many different stories that she has been telling," former North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said at the time. So again this is a very subjective understanding of what truth is.