In such a polarized culture, where speaking your mind can result in harsh anger, what does it mean to engage culture and current events with Grace and Truth? On this edition of Live the Promise Susie is talking with veteran reporter Craig von Buseck. We explore what it means to intercede with humble confidence, and take some time to pray over specific stories in the news today.

There are countless opportunities for us to address issues and topics of the day. Craig says, “We’ve got to walk in love and grace first, then uphold truth.” If we put truth first and then bring grace behind, we end up in 1 Corinthians 13. “Both in the church and the political realm, we have lost the idea of grace in our discourse. What happens is you have people yelling at each other on both sides of the spectrum and people in the middle who … throw up their hands and say ‘I give up.'”

First of all, we must start with Scripture. When we renew our minds with the Word of God, we can read the newspaper and watch the news without fear or undue anger. Craig and Susie point to the news story of the 27-year-old woman imprisoned in the Sudan because of her faith. Meriam Yehya Ibrahim was sentenced to death for apostasy and is currently in prison with her newborn daughter.

• Pray that God works a miracle to free Meriam

• Seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in the lives of her captors

• Act in faith by praying for the government in Sudan

Craig calls us to pray and talk about these things in our own areas of influence – if you’re a secretary, talk about it in the workplace. If you’re a construction worker, bring compassion and truth in conversations with coworkers. If you’re a nurse, pray over your patients.

“Our job is to speak with grace … and speak the truth. Even then, it must be from a heart of love and not a heart of hate.” Susie uses the term “controlled confrontation” to describe the moments when we must speak truth in love. A Christian can be placed in situations where they need to speak the truth, but he or she can still bring it with love and a gentle tone.

Key Scriptures: Psalm 1; Colossians 4:2-6; Isaiah 1:18

Theme Song: Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman

Highlight : Grace and truth

Grace and truth