In the First Light: Truth Be Told
David Bahn-Reflections Podcast
Genesis 1:3-4And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good.
John 1:1-5, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
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.
Sunrise on the Mountains-II | Near Phoenix, AZ | November 2022
John 1:14 is one of my go-to Bible verses. There’s so much here: Word becoming flesh, and grace and truth, to name just two. I love how this verse encourages transparency, humility, no pretentiousness here. I love the marriage of grace and truth. As I like to say, “Grace makes truth bearable. Truth makes grace precious.”
The song, Truth be Told (see below) captures the reality of our sinful state. We don’t even want to admit to our sins, failures, or our deepest hurts. But truth be told we need God’s mercy, love, forgiveness: grace. John writes, “If we say that we are without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 4:8). But there is more to facing the truth than just admitting we need God’s grace. Jesus’ first recorded sermon in Mark’s gospel calls us to “repent and believe the gospel [emphasis added]” (Mark 1:15). Jesus himself said that if we continue in his word we will know the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8:32).
God’s truth is never divorced from his grace. Facing the truth of our sin renders the grace of God evermore precious and powerfully freeing. Grace: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace: undeserved favor and kindness. Grace: the unmerited blessings of God poured out for all. Grace, a lavish fountain of life and joy.
The glory of God is displayed in this child. In grace, God has come to save us. Truth incarnate lies in the manger. By God’s grace, we come to the Father through the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. What good news this is!
I’ve not been one to try to put on a show. I try to be real; just me. Once in a while I’ll channel someone else’s style, voice, or mannerisms. But I’m quickly called on that by my wife. I’m not Ozzie Hoffman, Martin Luther, or Michael Ziegler. I’m me. Acoustic. Unfiltered. Natural. But before you go the wrong way with that, remember, too that I am redeemed. I am made new by the grace of God! Truth be told, yes I’m a sinner. That’s the truth. But by God’s grace I’m also a saint. That’s also true. I’ll struggle in that until I’m with my Lord in heaven.
But I can be real because of God’s grace. And I am thankful that the Word became flesh so that I could stand in that gracious truth.
In the First Light
In the first light of a new day
No one knew He had arrived
Things continued as they had been
While a newborn softly cried.
But the heavens wrapped in wonder
Knew the meaning of His birth
In the weakness of a baby
They knew God had come to earth.
As His mother held him closely,
It was hard to understand
That this baby not yet speaking
Was the Word of God to man.
He would tell them of His kingdom,
But their hearts would not believe
They would hate Him and in anger
They would nail Him to a tree.
But the sadness would be broken
As the song of life arose
And the First born of creation
Would ascend and take his throne.
He had left it to redeem us,
But before His life began
He knew He’d come back not as a baby
But as The Lord of ev’ry man.
Hear the angels as they’re singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be
When He comes again to earth
When He comes again
Hear the angels as they’re singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be
When He comes again to Earth
When He comes to rule the Earth!
When He comes back, When He comes back
To rule the Earth!
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Robert John Kauflin
In the First Light lyrics © Bridge Building Music, Organon Key Music
David Bahn - Reflections 