Holding On

You can’t hold on like that - with expectation and fear.

There’s just no way. You cannot hold on to Christ that way. With expectations of what should be and fears of what could be. With expectations of how you should be and fears of how you won’t be. With expectations of when God will act and fears of how He will act.

No.

You can’t hold on like that. There’s just no way!

Expectations only attempt to validate grace and fears only try to change behaviour. They are only a relying on of the law to save, a manipulation of results and outcomes, a depending on and trusting in self to justify. No, let it not be.

“…for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” - Galatians 2:21

It is not up to you. You are not justified by works. You are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, not by the law (Romans 3:28). The law that no one can keep (Romans 3:23). The law that brings judgment (James 2:10). The law that was fulfilled in Christ Jesus alone, so that the law could be fulfilled in you who walk according to the Spirit alone (Romans 8:3-4).

That’s mercy! That’s grace! When you deserved judgment, Christ saved you. When you couldn’t do it, Christ did it! He justified you, fulfilling the law in you!

For mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). It does, every time! And grace abounds over works (2 Corinthians 9:8). It does, every time!

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

So you don’t have to try and hold on to Christ in fear and expectation. Because you can’t. There is just no way.

The only way to hold on is in perfect love (1 John 4:18), and complete faith and assurance (Hebrews 11:6; 4:16), where fear is crushed and expectations flee. So you can stand firm, holding on to Christ, the Saviour of your soul. It’s the only way!

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“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf ...” - 2 Chronicles 20:17 ESV