Why we need truth and grace in political advocacy

As we have been remembering the birth of Jesus at this time of year, I want to reflect in this column on one key verse. The verse in my mind is John 1v14, which in the Christian Standard Bible translation reads: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

In this single verse, the beloved apostle John reminds us that the pre-existent Word, the logos, or ultimate explanation of all things came to this world and tabernacled, or dwelt, among men and women. Just let the wonder of this sink in for a minute or two! The eternal Son of God, by whom and for whom all things were made, conceived in the womb of Mary, by the Holy Spirit, came willingly to this sin-sick world.

When John wrote these words, he lived at a time when the ancient world was filled with philosophies and religions which sought after the ultimate purpose – the Logos – of all things. Today, people are searching again for meaning to their lives. They want to know why they are here and what life is for.