The good news of our redemption in Christ is beautifully deep. In fact, no human will ever be able to comprehend every facet of the gospel. Because of its richness and complexity it can often be intimidating to figure out how it applies to the brokenness, pain, and doubt surrounding us every day.
It is in those moments (or weeks) of weakness, I am learning to cling to some of the gigantic pillars of the gospel. If I have no idea how to counsel a struggling friend, I point her to these truths. They are so overarching - so huge that I have something to hold onto until some of the waves of life calm down.
1. The work is done.
I certainly don't mean to be repetitive. After all, I recently wrote an entire post on the rest we have in Christ's finished work. However, I hear messages and voices daily pressuring me to do more and do it better. Do you hear them too? It can be so tempting to buy into the idea that the quality of my life solely depends on how hard I work. That the approval from my community will increase as I spend myself more. If I really dig deep, I can climb out of this uncomfortable situation. I can focus on finding and fitting the pieces together of this Puzzle of Life. It's up to me!
The truth of the gospel says that the suffering I'm experiencing is part of God's refining work in my life (James 1:2-4).
I can't be more approved in God's eyes through better living because He sees me as complete and pure through His Son's Sacrifice.(Romans 8:1)
My life is no puzzle to my Father. (Proverbs 20:24)
Because of Jesus, the burden of perfect work has been finished. Rest in Him.
2. God never changes.
Our feelings can change drastically in a matter of minutes. Have you ever experienced the cry/laugh? What a perfect example of conflicting emotions!
We can parent out of sweet sentiment and exasperated anger in shockingly short amounts of time.
When I realize my terrible inconsistencies, I am made grateful for passages that point to his immutability or unchanging nature.
In its simplicity, the gospel is complex enough to answer any of this world's crashing waves. The work of Christ is perfect enough, full enough, and eternal enough to stand up to the tumultuous sea of your life.
It is in those moments (or weeks) of weakness, I am learning to cling to some of the gigantic pillars of the gospel. If I have no idea how to counsel a struggling friend, I point her to these truths. They are so overarching - so huge that I have something to hold onto until some of the waves of life calm down.
1. The work is done.
I certainly don't mean to be repetitive. After all, I recently wrote an entire post on the rest we have in Christ's finished work. However, I hear messages and voices daily pressuring me to do more and do it better. Do you hear them too? It can be so tempting to buy into the idea that the quality of my life solely depends on how hard I work. That the approval from my community will increase as I spend myself more. If I really dig deep, I can climb out of this uncomfortable situation. I can focus on finding and fitting the pieces together of this Puzzle of Life. It's up to me!
The truth of the gospel says that the suffering I'm experiencing is part of God's refining work in my life (James 1:2-4).
I can't be more approved in God's eyes through better living because He sees me as complete and pure through His Son's Sacrifice.(Romans 8:1)
My life is no puzzle to my Father. (Proverbs 20:24)
Because of Jesus, the burden of perfect work has been finished. Rest in Him.
2. God never changes.
Our feelings can change drastically in a matter of minutes. Have you ever experienced the cry/laugh? What a perfect example of conflicting emotions!
We can parent out of sweet sentiment and exasperated anger in shockingly short amounts of time.
When I realize my terrible inconsistencies, I am made grateful for passages that point to his immutability or unchanging nature.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11
The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8
My failures and meltdowns don't affect His steadfast nature. He will not revoke my salvation or the redemptive work He is constantly accomplishing in my life.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Because of Jesus, I have a permanent position as a rescued daughter of God.
3. He never lets go of me.
Sometimes the undertow of life's waves seem desperately perilous. We wonder if we will make it out alive. We gasp for air and look to cling to the nearest rock or branch available. In the back of our mind, we know that those apparent rescuers will fail. The rocks will crumble and the branches will break. We still try, however, hoping that this time it will be different.
The beauty of the gospel is that while we are desperately gripping these temporary things, God is still faithfully holding onto us.
Isaiah 41:13 says,
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.
Because of Jesus, I am firmly grasped in God's omnipotent hand.
In its simplicity, the gospel is complex enough to answer any of this world's crashing waves. The work of Christ is perfect enough, full enough, and eternal enough to stand up to the tumultuous sea of your life.