grace and truth

Have you ever noticed that we tend to pick and choose the verses and stories in the Bible to reflect how we have been taught or as a reflection of where our hearts are?  If you are very religious and have a judgmental heart you will find and verse that has to do with judgment even if you have to twist it or skew it to make it fit. I know at this point the high compassion I want everyone to feel good and happy folks just gave a little cheer. But guess what? You are just as guilty of the same actions.
In the last week or so the subject of Jesus being 100% full of grace and 100% full of truth has come up at prayer and church ( thanks Pastor Bob). If we are supposed to be Jesus in the flesh, His hands, mouth and feet, then we need to embrace both and provide both in equal measure.
I was reading this passage in Luke this morning where John the Baptist had been thrown in jail and he sent his follower's to Jesus to ask if He really was the Messiah. So you have to ask yourself what changed? John recognized Jesus when they were fetuses and when he baptized Him. So what changed? John was in jail fixing to be beheaded and you know part of what he was thinking is if I am such a great prophet and evangelist why am I in jail why aren't You here getting me out if You really are the Messiah? Usually when this story is referred to we only hear verse 22, which essentially says here is all the stuff that is happening that proves I am the Messiah.  What usually gets skipped is verse 23,where He says you will be blessed if you don't get offended at Me because of your circumstances. Basically He confirmed John's question and then gave him a warning to check His heart because Jesus knew where John's heart was going. This was then followed by Jesus giving John public honor. 
My point here? We need to be full of grace and truth and love people with both despite their circumstances.
Luke 7:22-23 "So He replied to them, Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news (the Gospel) preached to them. And blessed (happy--with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions--and to be envied) is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble [whatever may occur]."