The apostle John wrote, "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). But grace and truth were more than distinctive elements of Jesus' teaching. Grace and truth were modeled in the very character of Jesus: "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Jesus, personally, was full of grace and truth; his was a spirit of generosity and integrity. And, although we'll reserve this conversation for another day, in Jesus grace and truth were in alignment with each other.

We've all heard fine, accomplished teachers in our lifetimes; often, however, these men and women depend upon the power of their personality and a clever turn of phrase. Jesus, too, was a remarkable communicator. His conversations elicited quite the unusual reactions. Following the sermon on the mount, scripture testifies, "the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29). On another occasion, a woman--a mother, no doubt--cried out after hearing Jesus speak, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed." (Luke 11:27). And yet, the prophet Isaiah prophesied of Jesus, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). (The ubiquitous image of "Malibu Jesus" is a myth.) Jesus' skills of persuasion--unlike many contemporary, professional teachers--were grounded in a character full of grace and truth that was reflected in, and gave power to, his authoritative words.

The apostle Peter gave shape to what would become the seven Habits of Holiness, the transforming ethic of Jesus' apprentices. The seven Habits include the four Habits of Character Building and the three Habits of Relationship Building; this distinctive ethic crafts character of grace and truth, in the image of Jesus.

The four Habits of Character Building include moral excellence [determine to do what is right regardless of the circumstances or consequences], knowledge [passionately seek true knowledge, wisdom and understanding], self-control [transform--rather than repress--your heart's desire] and perseverance [endure--and, indeed, embrace--the moment, for the joy set before you; perseverance is, in all practicality, the consistent practice of self-control]. The sum of the four Habits of Character Building is integrity, or truth.

The three Habits of Relationship Building include godliness [revere God and seek to please Him; the sum of the previous four Habits of Character Building], brotherly kindness [affectionately love those with whom you have a common bond] and love [do what is best for another]. Together, the three Habits of Relationship Building strikingly parallel what Jesus identified as the two greatest commands: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength...Love your neighbor as yourself [Mark 12:29-31]. The three Habits of Relationship Building give shape to a spirit of generosity, or grace.

Grace and truth: qualities of character that give credibility to the life and ministry of an apprentice of Jesus.

Imagine grace without truth, truth without grace. Contemplate the authoritative power of the coupling.

Where's your strength? Where's your "do-better" place?

What's the learning here for you?