The good news of the gospel is precisely what gives us the courage to be honest about our sin without being undone by it. It is possible and delightful to engage in soul searching when you are confident that God is not ashamed of you and will never abandon you, no matter what sings you find lurking there. Confession becomes a relief, while repentance is possibly only when we know what it is that we need to repent of. When we grasp the gospel we do not need to be afraid of what we will find in our hearts, for God's grace is far greater than all our sin.Extravagant grace: God's glory displayed in our weakness, Barbara Duguid
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Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
what can avail to wash it away!
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
whiter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe;
you that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
–Julia Johnston
