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Study 04 of 18

God's Abounding Grace, Part 3 — Out of Myself and Into Christ

Being 'in Christ' means that His presence and victory are our present reality, even in the midst of trials.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Schofield continues the exploration of grace by defining what it means to be 'out of myself and into Christ.' He explains that the law entered not primarily to highlight sin, but to provide a platform for grace to abound. Using the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, he shows how Christ was present with them in all their afflictions, even when they murmured. The core message is that being 'in Christ' is not a future hope but a present fact for the believer. Christ feels every temptation and trial we face because He is still 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities.' By shifting our focus from our own failures to His abiding presence, we find peace. This session emphasizes that God's mercy is like the mountains—steadfast and unmovable—providing a secure refuge for those who have surrendered their self-reliance.

Key points

  • The ultimate purpose of the law's entry is to facilitate an abundance of grace.
  • Christ was present with Israel in the wilderness, sharing in their afflictions and trials.
  • To be 'in Christ' is to have His life and victory substituted for our own history of failure.
  • God's mercy and peace are as enduring as the mountains, regardless of our internal feelings.

Key texts

  • Isaiah 54:10
  • Romans 6:5
  • Hebrews 2:17-18

From the book

Chapter 4 · Isaiah 54 · Read this chapter

  • “The law entered to make what abound? Grace abound.” (ch. 4)
  • “Through all their trials in the wilderness, Christ was going through it with them.” (ch. 4)
  • “He feels what we feel. He felt it to the very depths of His being.” (ch. 4)

Put it into practice

  • Shift your focus from your own murmuring to Christ's presence in your 'wilderness.'
  • Rely on God's promise that His kindness will not depart from you, even if mountains move.
  • Practice being 'in Christ' by acknowledging His shared experience in your temptations.
  1. Doctrinal Clarity

    1. What was the true purpose of the law entering, according to this study?

  2. Comprehension

    2. How did Christ relate to the Israelites' murmuring in the wilderness?

  3. Scripture

    3. What does Isaiah 54:10 say about God's kindness?

  4. Contrast

    4. How deep did Christ's experience of our suffering go?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. What does it mean to be 'afflicted' with Christ?

  6. Comprehension

    6. Why shouldn't we have just an 'abundance of sin' without the law?

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. What does 'out of myself' mean in a practical sense?

  8. Application

    8. How does the promise of God's unmovable kindness affect you when you feel 'bitter' like the waters of Marah?