We have been studying Union with Christ in our Sunday studies through Romans, here and here. Paul makes the case that we won’t really understand justification and sanctification and their relationship if we do not understand them in relation to the believer’s union with Christ.

As I was meditating upon these truths, I considered how even when we are actively working for Christ and fighting sin, in and with Christ, we are constantly at rest. We are in Jesus Christ! The Lord brought this hymn to mind, #188 from our Trinity Hymnal, “Jesus, I am Resting, Resting,” which describes the deep, joyful communion we can experience with God in union with Christ. See how verse 4 expresses the life of sanctification, as we work and wait for Him, we rest underneath the smile of Christ. And as you rest in Christ, ask that He fill you with His grace. Check it out:

1 Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.

Refrain:
Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.

2 O how great thy loving-kindness,
vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvelous thy goodness
lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, Beloved,
know what wealth of grace is thine,
know thy certainty of promise
and have made it mine. [Refrain]

3 Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
and thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
satisfies its deepest longings,
meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
compasseth me round with blessings:
thine is love indeed. [Refrain]

4 Ever lift thy face upon me
as I work and wait for thee;
resting ‘neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
sunshine of my Father’s face,
keep me ever trusting, resting,
fill me with thy grace. [Refrain]

Are you experiencing “Resting in Christ?” The gospel that Trinity Presbyterian Church prclaims,

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

If you are burdened, weary, and heavy, and who isn’t? There is good news. Christ has come, died for sins, and rose from the dead for justification, and is coming again to make all things whole. Good news! The gospel does not depend upon you! if Christ is in your church, your life in the church should not always feel like an ever-increasing load upon your back. We invite you to rest in Jesus with us at Trinity Presbyterian Church- A Church for Norman.