There is a spiritual tug-of-war happening—and it’s happening over Jesus.

Different factions are trying to lay claim to him. One group proclaims: “We have the right understanding of Jesus and you are wrong!” The other group bellows the same thing.

Even as you read or listen to this certain people come to mind who are actively engaged in this tug-of-war.

With all this in mind, here are some helpful guideposts to navigate the confusion. 

First, we all have biases and perspectives. Let’s be aware of them. 

Second, when talking with others about your views, steer away from simplistic slogans. If your main argument is a slogan you’ve seen online, you’re probably not engaging in helpful conversation.

Third, Jesus “came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Not grace and no truth, and not truth and no grace, but both. Are you taking both seriously?

Fourth, this Jesus will challenge and change you. If that has never happened, you need to honestly ask whether you’re truly seeking to follow Jesus, or whether you just like the comfort of a cross around your neck.

Fifth, the Bible is reliable and trustworthy. If they (or possibly you?) are trying to advance a version of Jesus which is inconsistent with what Scripture teaches, they are deceived and deceiving.

Consider the woman caught in adultery from John 8:3-11. Will he condone her stoning (which would have been lawful)? 

That story is where Jesus famously said: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” As a result, they left. “Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she replied. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

He shows her grace, but also tells her the truth: stop sinning.

Don’t be pigeonholed in the tug-of-war for Jesus.

Be aware of your own biases.
Steer away from simplistic slogans.
Know that Jesus came full of both grace and truth.
Be challenged and changed.
Be grounded in the reliable and trustworthy Word of God.

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Notes:

-“Adultery, Lust, Porn and Throwing the First Stone.” Click here. Sermon. 
-Bible quotes are from the NIV.