Rest in Christ's Finished Work

Sometimes, the enemy will come and try to discourage us because of our personal results. He will compare them to the results of Jesus or generals of the faith. Recognize this feeling of discouragement as the devil's attempt to debilitate us and paralyze us from continuing in the work of the ministry. Do not buy into this discouragement nor the fear of failure.

If we are not walking in power, then we're not quite walking like Jesus. Yet, this should not cause us to beat ourselves down or to strive. Rather, it should draw us to Christ for understanding and remind us to rest and rely on his finished work. The scriptures below encourage us to walk in freedom, lay aside every weight, cast your cares on him, stand firm, be fully assured, not give up, hold fast to our confessions, look to Jesus, abide in his presence, receive, and expect good results:

GALATIANS 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (fear, discouragement, etc.).

GALATIANS 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 PETER 5:6-11 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

HEBREWS 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

ROMANS 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. And we rejoice in the hope [expectation, with pleasure] of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our tribulations also, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [patience/endurance/steadfast, to remain, dwell and abide under]; and perseverance produces character [tried and proved character]; and character produces hope [expectation, with pleasure]; and hope does not make us ashamed because the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.

ROMANS 5:17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

HEBREWS 10:19-23 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Pray, minister, then rest in the finished works of Christ! Stay in faith and do not waiver. His word flowing through you has been sowed, is growing, and will accomplish its purpose:

LUKE 13:18-21 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

ISAIAH 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

PSALM 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.