Collision of Grace and Truth: A Christian Response to Hatred
The brutal murder of Christian evangelist Charlie Kirk this past week has left a heavy weight on my heart. As a Christian counselor, I’ve wrestled with the flood of reactions—some filled with extraordinary grief, others with disagreement over his politics, and, most disturbingly, a growing chorus of voices justifying or even celebrating his death. While political differences are real, what troubles me most is not policy debates but the dangerous trend of cloaking hatred in the guise of righteousness or redefining love to suit cultural whims.
As I processed these events, I felt a deep conviction: silence is not an option. As believers, we cannot stand by as lukewarm bystanders—neither hot nor cold in our faith (Revelation 3:16)—when hatred masquerades as virtue or when the world distorts love beyond recognition. Scripture calls us to embody both grace and truth, just as Jesus did, speaking with compassion while holding fast to God’s call to be holy, set apart from the world (1 Peter 1:15–16).
The Tension of Grace and Truth
Our culture often defines “love” as unconditional affirmation, prioritizing inclusivity over truth. But this is not the love Jesus modeled. In John 1:14, we see that Jesus came “full of grace and truth,” a perfect balance that neither compromises God’s holiness nor withholds His mercy. To understand this balance, we must first grasp God’s holiness, a concept rooted deeply in the Old Testament.
God’s holiness means He is perfectly pure, set apart from all sin. In the Old Testament, this holiness was so profound that sinners feared approaching God, knowing uncleansed sin in His presence meant death. For example, when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:5–6), Moses was told to remove his sandals because the ground was holy, and he hid his face in fear. In Leviticus 16, the high priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year, after meticulous purification rituals, because God’s holy presence demanded perfection (Leviticus 16:2). Without grace, none of us could stand before such a God, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yet, without truth, grace becomes a hollow gesture, devoid of the transformative power that calls us to holiness. Grace and truth together protect us, shielding us from God’s righteous judgment while guiding us to live as His redeemed people.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” This “sword” is not a call to violence but a recognition that truth divides, separating light from darkness, holiness from sin. Luke 12:51–53 echoes this, noting that even families may divide over devotion to Christ. This isn’t a call to shun or hate but a reminder that following Jesus demands unwavering allegiance to His truth.
Yet, Jesus never distanced Himself from sinners. He dined with tax collectors and spoke with outcasts, offering grace to those who repented (Luke 5:31–32). He extended mercy without excusing sin, as seen in His words to the woman caught in adultery: “Neither do I condemn you… go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). This balance is critical today, as some believers misuse “grace” to justify sin or silence truth-tellers. The Enemy has always twisted God’s words, from “Did God really say…?” in Genesis 3:1 to modern distortions that disguise pride, bitterness, or idolatry as virtues.
Jesus and the Offense of Truth
Jesus’ commitment to truth often offended the religious leaders of His day, leading to their persecution of Him. He challenged their legalism and hypocrisy, exposing their failure to live out God’s heart. In Matthew 23, Jesus boldly confronted the Pharisees, calling them “whitewashed tombs” for their outward righteousness but inward corruption (Matthew 23:27–28). He criticized their obsession with rules while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). His actions—like healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1–6) or dining with sinners (Mark 2:15–17)—defied their traditions, revealing their pride and prompting their fury. This offense culminated in their plot to crucify Him, not because He was wrong, but because His truth exposed their sin. As Christians, we must recognize that speaking truth, like Jesus, may provoke opposition, yet we are called to do so with grace.
The Need for Biblical Discernment
We live in a time when even well-meaning intentions—like pursuing unity or justice—can be hijacked by deception if not grounded in Scripture. Emotions and feelings are God-given and can be incredibly valuable in navigating life and relationships. God Himself expresses emotions, such as righteous anger at injustice (Psalm 7:11) or compassion for His people (Isaiah 54:8). Emotional intelligence—understanding and responding to our own and others’ feelings—helps us build relationships, show compassion to those who are hurting, and reflect Christ’s love in our interactions. For example, Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s rejection of Him (Luke 19:41), showing His deep emotional connection to humanity.
However, when emotions like fear or pride are not grounded in faith, they become vulnerable to the Enemy’s influence. Fear can lead us to compromise truth for a sense of safety, while pride can fuel self-righteousness or selfish division. Without God’s Word, our emotions can deceive us, as Jeremiah 17:9 warns: “The heart is deceitful above all things.” The Enemy exploits unguarded emotions, twisting them to justify hatred or silence truth. As a counselor, I’ve seen how easily hearts drift when we rely on feelings or cultural trends instead of the Bible’s unchanging standard. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13), empowering us to discern God’s voice amidst the noise.
This is why I encourage engaging with resources like The Bible Recap, which offers a 92-day journey through the New Testament starting this October, alongside 365-day options for the full Bible. Reading Scripture in its entirety anchors us in God’s heart, equipping us to navigate a world filled with competing voices and to steward our emotions in a way that honors Christ.
Redemption, Not Rejection
Scripture shows that God doesn’t wait for perfect people. King David, described as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), was an adulterer and murderer (2 Samuel 11). Even on his deathbed, he remained flawed, yet God used him to bring mercy to generations because of his repentance and faith. Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54–62). Paul persecuted and murdered Christians before becoming a pivotal apostle (Acts 9). These deeply flawed individuals were transformed by God’s grace because they turned to Him through faith.
Our culture has embraced a pervasive evil of vilifying, hating, and dehumanizing those who disagree, often demonizing them as irredeemable based on their opinions or actions. This stands in stark opposition to God’s heart. Scripture teaches that all people are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and hating others is akin to murder in the heart (Matthew 5:21–22). We cannot claim to love God while hating our brother (1 John 4:20). God’s heart is for reconciliation and redemption, not division or destruction (2 Corinthians 5:18–19), and He desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), taking no pleasure in the death of the wicked but calling them to turn from sin (Ezekiel 33:11). We are called to overcome this evil with good (Romans 12:21). God’s redeeming grace, offered through Christ’s sacrifice (Ephesians 2:8–9), transforms lives, but it requires a repentant heart and faith to receive it (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9–10).
To dismiss someone’s entire ministry, or worse, to justify their death because of past sins or offensive opinions, is to reject God’s transformative power of redemption. The Enemy exploits this division led by pride and fear, fueling hatred and justifying rage under the banner of righteousness. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against… spiritual forces of evil.” We are not to judge or curse others, for God alone is the ultimate judge (Romans 12:19; James 4:12). Before joining the chorus of condemnation, we must ask: How can I embody Christ’s redeeming grace and truth to confront the vilification and hatred of those I disagree with, leading them toward repentance and faith in Him? This might mean listening with compassion to understand their perspective, sharing the gospel with humility, or praying for their hearts to soften toward Christ. Our call is not to curse or condemn those who oppose us but to seek their redemption, reflecting Christ’s love even in disagreement.
Truth That Heals
Like a dentist addressing a decaying tooth, truth can cause discomfort before it heals. No one cancels a dentist for doing their job, yet we often despise those who speak God’s truth with grace. Healing requires both—the courage to confront sin and the compassion to point people to Christ’s redemption. As Christians, we must reject the reckless boldness of outrage culture and embrace the courageous boldness of speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Jesus calls us to a radical love: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). In the face of hatred or celebration of this tragedy, let us pray for those who oppose us—not to condone their actions but to seek their redemption, as Christ did for us.
A Reflection Checklist for Discernment
To navigate these turbulent times, here’s a practical checklist to guide your response:
Am I reacting out of anger or godly sorrow that leads to repentance? (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Does my response reflect the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh? (Galatians 5:19–23)
Am I honoring the image of God in this person and trusting Him as the ultimate judge, even in disagreement? (Genesis 1:27; Romans 12:19; James 4:12)
How can I embody Christ’s redeeming grace and truth to confront the vilification and hatred of those I disagree with, leading them toward repentance and faith in Him? (Matthew 5:44)
Have I prayed for wisdom and searched God’s Word before speaking or sharing? (James 1:5; Psalm 119:105)
Processing these questions can be overwhelming alone. I encourage you to discuss them with a trusted small group or mentor, as the Body of Christ is designed to sharpen and support one another (Proverbs 27:17).
A Call to Boldness and Compassion
Silence in the face of deception is not humility; it is lukewarmness, which Jesus warns against (Revelation 3:16). As Christians, we are called to more—to be discerning, to know God’s Word, to resist the Enemy’s schemes, and to live with both grace and truth. Our goal is not to win arguments or fuel division but to reflect the heart of Christ, whose love transforms lives without compromising holiness.
Let us commit to praying for wisdom, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and speaking with boldness tempered by compassion. In a world desperate for truth and grace, may we be a light that points others not to our opinions or outrage but to the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.