"And the Word was made flesh, and lived among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Just as trees without roots are dead, a Christian testimony and life without the root of truth and grace are dead. The root of Grace that matters most in a situation requiring truth is, but for God in Christ, there go I (to eternal death). The root of Truth that matters most in a situation requiring grace is, but for God in Christ, there go I (in sin). Both of these roots nourish the tree because they require reliance on Christ. The nourishment progressively produces a growing reflection of Grace and Truth seen in Christ rather that remaining in the deadness of the easy grace and fruitless truth rooted in the self-reliance of 'good' works.
Christian life rightly so-called recognizes a personal, deadly wound (there go I) in order to reflect the efficacy of Jesus Christ in healing as well as the self-realization of spiritual need. Embrace the wound of death to self-will by telling the Truth without apology and extending Grace without reserve. Christ, the root of all your good, did exactly that for you.
Be cautious with Truth-claims though because soul food comes from sound teaching (2 Timothy 4:3), even if it is served in a plain meal. Gourmet spreads often contain the poison of error from a wild root. Be equally cautious with Grace-claims, because grace is rightly often extended in painful discipleship, while grandiose actions of nicety are impotent. God's wounds cure, sin's kisses kill.
