Marriage Series - Resolve Conflicts With Grace and Truth

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

One of the greatest descriptions of the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ is

found in the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 14 -16. John says “The Word

became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the

glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and

truth… Out of his fullness, we have all received grace in place of grace already

given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through

Jesus Christ.

I love this description of Jesus! He was full of grace and truth. As a sinner, I

was well acquainted with the law. Maybe I didn’t know the law of Moses, but I

knew the law of my parents! I knew I was expected to tell the truth and to

respect the property of others. I was not to insult or hurt other people. I was to

obey my parents without delay. I was to honor God. This was the law in my

family and in my home. But I could not live up to it. I felt so guilty. I wondered

how I could ever be free from my guilt. Then I heard about Jesus. I learned

that he paid the penalty for my sins by shedding his blood on the cross. He rose

from the dead to give me, a guilty sinner, forgiveness and new life.

I discovered that this loving disposition of Jesus is called grace. He loves us, He

desires to forgive us. But as I heard this message from a variety of evangelists, I

was troubled. They kept telling me I had to confess my sins if I was to be

forgiven. They told me that Jesus is full of grace, but he is also full of truth.

We too must tell the truth about our sins. This is called confession. When I

confessed my sins and repented, I found forgiveness: sweet, full, wonderful

forgiveness that brought refreshment and peace. I had discovered that what

the evangelists told me was true. You can’t experience the grace of God in

forgiveness without telling the truth to God in confession of sin.

Jesus is full of grace and truth. Because of his grace, he lovingly offers

reconciliation with God. Because of his truth, he calls us to walk in the light,

to live in the truth, and to confess our sins. When we do, he graciously

forgives us.

So what does all this have to do with marriage? If a man and his wife want to

resolve conflict in their marriage, they need to be filled with grace and truth.

If you want to be free from conflict and distrust, you must embrace truth.

Never lie to your husband or wife. If you do, you will destroy trust and create

separation. You will give the devil an opportunity to divide you. When you

fail, admit it. Husbands, wives, don’t claim that you are sinless when you have

failed to keep your word. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one

another that you may be healed. And be sure to fill you marriage with grace.

Be quick to forgive, just as God in Christ has forgiven you. When your spouse

confesses a sin or a shortcoming to you, express forgiveness. This may take

time, but ask God to help you come to a place of forgiveness. And don’t just

forgive silently. Say the words, “I forgive you.” As you do so, you will be

following the example of Jesus, full of grace and truth.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #GraceAndTruth