Linger a moment and see that Jesus’ gaping side has been opened up for you. See His hands beseeching you to be filled with His grace that sparkles with life as it flows into your heart. It never stops. It is never banked up. It is never withheld. It never makes a detour around you. It is always present to propel you forward away from your fears and lift you up with the stellar courage of Christ to whom you are united.
It is only by grace that we have been chosen and justified in Christ as a free gift and made grateful heirs of His promise, as it is impossible for God to lie (Romans 11:5-6; Romans 3:24; Hebrews 6:17-18).
It is only grace through Jesus’ sacrifice that makes us worthy of the white robe of righteousness that covers us now (Isaiah 61:10).
It is only grace through the spilling of Jesus’ blood that draws us now with confidence to the warm welcome we find at the Father’s throne (Hebrews 4:16).
It is only grace through faith in Jesus’ Calvary work that we now have Holy Spirit power in our fearful weaknesses, and sufficiency in all things without lack (2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8).
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:4–5
Living in bondage to fear can lead to sinful habits of speaking half-truths, as Abram also employed, to maintain one’s secretive fearful living.
To avoid meeting people at a social gathering, we might give an excuse or hedge one’s response in a way that was not entirely true. When an overwhelming invitation to speak in front of others or hold responsibility in a new role comes one’s way, we might amplify our weaknesses with false humility and back away in fear without asking for God’s guidance and will.
We can remember that the only qualification for embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ was our humble acknowledgement of sin to receive His certain forgiveness, given to us once and for all by His sacrifice on the wooden tree. We have qualified for a life of receiving grace! We are treasures in jars of clay in need of grace, knowing that as we surrender to God in our weaknesses, God’s strength shines through! This removes our need to hide and conceal and camouflage ourselves with half-truths, or to try to out-perform God by doing and earning our merit before Him. We then become vehicles to show God’s power and glory in our lives, clearly and joyfully!
“But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 AMP
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians 4:15
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25
Question 1: Seeing the cross of Jesus before you and His arms held out wide in the welcome of grace, would you be able to write out a prayer to God asking for forgiveness for any untruths that you have used in times of fear?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Question 2: Could you please share what New Covenant grace means to you in daily life as you read through the following hymn?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
He Giveth More Grace
By Annie J. Flint (1866-1932)
https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/He_Giveth_More_Grace/
Grace flowing from Jesus’ Side at the Cross Removes Our Fear