When Strivings Cease Session Two — Costly, but Free

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the Cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him. — Colossians 2:13-15

It’s truly the good news… God paid the price for our rebellion against Him. He covered the cost by sacrificing His own Son. He made it possible for us to no longer be under the rule of self-reliance, rebellion, guilt, and shame. ~ Ruth Chou Simons

Hi, friends! It’s week two of the When Strivings Cease OBS with Ruth Chou Simons! Are you loving it already? I am!

Does debt feel crushing to you? It does to me. I haaate owing. I pay bills the minute they hit my inbox because I can’t stand even knowing I owe something to someone.

If someone invites me out to lunch, I invite them back. If they give me a gift, I give one back. This has been a thing for me for a long time. And, it took a long time to realize that it was a problem.

Giving is so much easier than receiving. Giving is awesome! Right? Giving is wonderful. It feels good. It’s loving. That kind of one-way interaction is fine with me, but just receiving has been really hard… because grace is sometimes hard.

Aren’t we supposed to achieve it? Earn it? Deserve it?

God’s grace is the most magnificent, lavish, unimaginable gift in all of history. It’s something I’m having to dig into spiritually in this study. Are you, too?

We don’t have to worry about not getting what we need. We can trust in Him to meet all our needs. We have this remarkable honor of remembering that we’re His children whom He loves to take care of… even if it doesn’t look the way we expected.

We don’t cease striving because we’ll never have what we need. We cease striving because, in Christ, we already have access to all that we were created to long for. And, if we let that sink it, it will consistently blow us away. ~ RCS

I can’t outgive God. His love is an avalanche. His grace is overwhelming. It’s free and it’s for us without any end.

The goal of redemption wasn’t simply transactional. It wasn’t just making right a wrong or paying a debt. The goal of redemption was restoration to God and a full welcome into His favor, love, and unconditional care. He pursued us. He rescued us. ~ RCS

Who gives a gift of His own blood, torture, death, and separation from God the Father so that others can have unfettered relationship with Him without any guilt or shame forever in joy, and celebration, and complete shalom? Only Jesus!

Like Simon Peter we can say, “Where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life!”

Jesus is the only way. He is the One.

This week in your study:

1. Watch the video for session one of When Strivings Cease on our study home page and take notes in your study guide on pages 35-38 and stick around to go through the questions afterward!
2. Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 39-62.
3. Join the conversations about this week’s teaching and get to know our community in our private Facebook group.

Scriptures this Week

Colossians 2:13-15
Romans 8:32
Philippians 4:19
Romans 8:31-39
John 6:68

Prayer

Jesus, we can’t out-give You! You gave everything for us! Help us to recognize Your loving sacrifice and be grateful and devoted daily to You. We want to rest in Your sufficiency. We need You. We worship You. We adore You. We love You, Jesus! Amen.