For some of God’s children, the Christian life is not really a joyful one at all.  Many of you reading this post may be struggling with issues of condemnation or feelings of inadequacy or perhaps you are plagued by a low sense of self-esteem.  Some of you may even think that God will fail you at some point. Because people let us down, many of us think that God will do so as well, but this a lie from the enemy.  You see, the enemy loves it when we doubt God. When we doubt God or when we question his character or his motives, then our actions give the enemy opportunity to cripple us with fear and to steal our assurance of salvation.  Such fear is not the work of God. This is why 1 John 4:18 declares, “There is no fear in love, put perfect love casts out fear.” We need not fear because we have a perfect love relationship with the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are secure in Christ because our relationship is based totally on his actions and his character, not on how we feel. The relationship that we have with God through Christ comes to us because of the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8,9 make this point very clear, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Relationship with God produces assurance, boldness, confidence, peace and joy. Hebrews 4 tells us that because Jesus Christ is our faithful and compassionate High Priest, we can come boldly to the throne of grace and obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. If our relationship with Christ were based on our own actions, then we would have a reason to worry about our security because human righteousness is as filthy rags.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But our security is based on the perfect sacrifice that Christ has made for us.  As long as we are in Christ, we are safe.  As Jesus himself said in John 10:27-29, “27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Some people in their minds picture themselves hanging on to God for dear life. This is not the correct picture. The correct picture is one of a loving God grasping us firmly in his hands. We are secure in Jesus Christ and God will complete every good work that he has begun in us. Before I conclude, let me offer up a word of warning to those of you reading this post who are not saved or who are not sure if you are saved.  If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you need to give your heart to him today.  Tomorrow is not promised to you.  Today is the day of salvation.  If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead then you will be saved. Then you will be able to enjoy the secure relationship with Christ that I have been talking about. Give your heart to Jesus today! Blessings, Wilfred Graves Jr. https://www.wilfredgraves.org

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