September 05, 2012

Free Grace Sustains Me Still

Today has been a day of battle for me.  I feel the doubting of all I know to be true of God and of myself warring within me.  It has taken it's toll and I am weak and weary of this fight; more often than not, I just want to give up.  I would like to put down my sword and rest for awhile. The doubts in my mind are raging, but God is the same and nothing can change that.  My standing with Him is the same no matter what lies come or how I feel. 
 There are many days when I come to the realization that if it was my conduct that had saved me, then I would be lost forever.  I'm thankful that it is not of myself that keeps me in the same standing with God.  If it was of my doing I know that I would not be able to even attain a right standing with God much less sustain one.  What a privilege to be a child of God! To be redeemed by His blood, to be made one with Him.What assurance there is in knowing that nothing can sever this union. Not you, nor me, not principalities, not death, Beloved, there is NOTHING that can do so (Romans 8:35-39). When our feelings and doubts get in the way we can still rest assured that we are one in Christ. Why? Because we are not resting in our emotions or our merits, but we are resting in the finished work of Christ.
So, when the battle becomes too intense I can simply rest in Christ because "free grace sustains me still". 


Free Grace

"1. You children of God,
by faith in His Son
Redeemed by His blood,
and with Him made one
This union with wonder
and rapture be seen
Which nothing shall sunder,
without or within


2. This pardon, this peace
which none can destroy
This treasure of grace
and heavenly joy
The worthless may crave it,
it always comes free
The vilest may have it,
it was given to me

Chorus:
Free grace has paid for all my sin
Free grace, though it cost so much to Him
Free grace has freed even my will
Free grace to the end sustains me still

3. It's not for good deeds,
good tempers nor frames
From grace it proceeds,
and all is the Lamb's
No goodness, no fitness
expects He from us
This I can well witness,
for none could be worse

Bridge: Sick sinner, expect no
balm but Christ's blood
Your own works reject,
the bad and the good
None ever regret it that on Him rely
Though guilty as Saul or Jonah or I"
~J Hart