Relaxing with God

1. Embrace God's grace and relax in your total forgiveness

Grace means . . . everything is free!

Total forgiveness: Christians are not being forgiven progressively; they are already forgiven people. This forgiveness is based on Christ's finished work, not on our ability to remember and confess every sin. The blood of Jesus has provided a "once for all" forgiveness, as stated in Hebrews 10:10.

No need to ask: The phrases "ask forgiveness" and "ask for forgiveness" are absent from the New Testament epistles. This is because we don't need to repeatedly ask for what we already have. Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to remove all sins, past, present, and future.

Implications:

• We can live free from guilt and shame
• Our relationship with God is not based on our performance
• We can approach God with confidence, knowing we are fully accepted

2. You are completely new in Christ, free from your old self

You are heaven-ready on the inside!

Spiritual transformation: Salvation is more than just receiving the Holy Spirit; it involves a complete spiritual transformation. When we place our faith in Christ, we receive a new human spirit and God's Spirit within us. We participate in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, dying to our old self and starting over with a new spiritual lineage.

New core identity: This change occurs at the very center of our being. We are not merely improved versions of our old selves, but entirely new creations. Our human spirit, which was once dead to God, is exchanged for a new one that is alive to God.

Practical implications:

• We can live from our new identity, not our old habits
• Our struggles with sin do not define who we are
• We have the power to resist temptation and live righteously

3. Let go of law-based religion and live in freedom

We are dead to the law.

Freedom from the law: New Testament believers have no spiritual relationship with the Old Testament law. The law's purpose today is to show unbelievers their need for Christ. Once in Christ, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Dangers of law-based living:

• The law is a ministry of condemnation that brings death
• It arouses sinful passions
• It increases the power of sin in our lives

Living by the Spirit: Those led by the Spirit have no business being under the law. We are called to live by faith in Christ and the power of His Spirit within us, not by adherence to external rules and regulations.

4. Trust in the finality of Christ's sacrifice for your sins

It really is finished.

Once for all sacrifice: Christ's death on the cross was a final, complete sacrifice for all sins. There is no need for repeated sacrifices or ongoing cleansing rituals. When Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross, He meant it.

Implications of Christ's finished work:

• We don't need to ask for forgiveness repeatedly
• Our sins (past, present, and future) are fully dealt with
• We can live in the assurance of God's complete acceptance

Resting in Christ's work: Instead of constantly trying to earn God's favor or maintain our forgiveness, we can rest in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. This allows us to live from a place of gratitude and love, rather than fear and obligation.

5. Understand the true nature of God's love and acceptance

God is not picking an elite few.

God's inclusive love: The concept of predestination in the Bible is not about God selecting certain individuals for salvation while rejecting others. Rather, it refers to God's decision to include the Gentiles (non-Jews) in His plan of salvation.

Universal invitation: The gospel is an open invitation to all people. As Romans 10:13 states, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Implications:

• We can be confident in God's love for us
• We don't need to worry if we're "chosen" or not
• We can freely share the gospel with everyone, knowing God desires all to be saved

6. Rethink baptism, communion, and tithing in light of grace

You don't owe God money.

Baptism: Water baptism is a symbolic act that celebrates our spiritual rebirth, not a requirement for salvation. It's a public declaration of our faith, not a means of receiving the Holy Spirit.

Communion: The Lord's Supper should be a joyful celebration of Christ's sacrifice, not a somber time of self-examination and guilt. It's about remembering Jesus, not dwelling on our sins.

Tithing: The New Testament does not mandate a 10% tithe. Instead, we are encouraged to give freely and generously as God leads us, not out of obligation or fear of punishment.

Key points:

• These practices should be expressions of faith, not legalistic requirements
• Our motivation should be love and gratitude, not fear or obligation
• We are free to give and participate as God leads us, not according to rigid rules

7. Live from God's strength, not your own efforts

Christ joined to ________ (your name) is enough!

God's power in us: As believers, we have the life of Christ within us. This means we don't need to strive in our own strength to please God or live the Christian life. Instead, we can rely on His power working through us.

Abiding in Christ: The concept of "abiding" in Christ is not about our efforts to stay connected to Him, but about resting in the reality that we are already united with Him. We don't need to work to maintain this connection; it's a gift of grace.

Practical application:

• Start each day by affirming your identity in Christ
• Rely on God's strength when facing temptation or challenges
• Celebrate the fact that Christ in you is enough for every situation

8. Recognize your unshakeable salvation in Christ

We will be saved as long as Jesus lives!

Eternal security: Our salvation is not dependent on our continued good behavior or faith. It is secured by Christ's eternal life and His ongoing intercession for us.

Freedom from fear: We don't need to live in fear of losing our salvation. Passages that seem to suggest this possibility are often misunderstood or taken out of context.

Implications:

• We can have confidence in our relationship with God
• We're free to serve God out of love, not fear of punishment
• Our focus can be on growing in Christ, not maintaining our salvation

Last updated: August 23, 2024