21 lines
4.3 KiB
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21 lines
4.3 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">January 14</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>The Law Convicting the Rebellious</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>But we know that the <b>law</b> is <b>good</b> if one uses it <b>lawfully</b>, knowing this: that the <b>law</b> is <b>not</b> made for a <b>righteous</b> person, but for the <b>lawless</b> and <b>insubordinate</b>, for the <b>ungodly</b> and for <b>sinners</b>…<b>But</b> if you are <b>led</b> by the <b>Spirit</b>, you are <b>not under</b> the <b>law</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ti',1,8,9);">1 Timothy 1:8-9</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,18);">Galatians 5:18</a>)</div>
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<p>Although the <b>law</b> has some <b>God-given inabilities</b>, it is nevertheless <b>good</b>. <i>"Therefore the <b>law</b> is <b>holy</b>, and the <b>commandment holy</b> and <b>just</b> and good"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,12);">Romans 7:12</a>). It does have certain <b>abilities</b>, "<i>if one uses it <b>lawfully</b>."</i> One <b>unlawful</b> application of the law would be using it to obtain <b>justification</b> (a declaration of being righteous in God's sight). If anyone ever infers that attempted obedience to the law of God could potentially secure an overall verdict of "not guilty," that would be biblically <b>forbidden</b>.</p><p>Another <b>unlawful</b> application of God's law would be using it to obtain <b>sanctification</b> (progressive spiritual growth in the Lord). If a person imagines that they could grow in godliness by their best attempts at living up to the law, that, too, would be <b>prohibited</b> by God's word.</p><p>The law is <i>"for the <b>lawless</b> and <b>insubordinate</b>."</i> The law of God is for those who are rebellious at heart against the will and the ways of God. This truth, in its basic interpretation, is directed toward unbelievers, <i>"for the <b>ungodly</b> and for <b>sinners</b>."</i> Herein we see that the <b>law</b> of God is <b>able</b> to <b>convict</b> unbelieving <b>rebels</b> of their defiance against a holy God.</p><p>However, by <b>implication</b>, there is an <b>insight</b> for <b>believers</b> here as well. As far as God is concerned, we are <i>"<b>not</b> under <b>law</b> but under <b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',6,14);">Romans 6:14</a>). Yet, only those who walk according to the Spirit <b>fully enjoy</b> the daily blessings of that reality. <i>"<b>But</b> if you are <b>led</b> by the <b>Spirit</b>, you are <b>not under</b> the <b>law</b></i>.<i>"</i> When followers of the Lord Jesus walk according to the <b>flesh</b>, they <b>practically</b> place themselves under a <b>performance</b> code. They put themselves under the law for practical day by day living. The message of the law, which is for the rebellious, also has the capacity to expose this unacceptable condition within the life of a self-sufficient believer.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear God of all Grace, I confess that I formerly lived in lawless rebellion against You. Lord, Your Holy Spirit convicted me of my self-righteous defiance against Your holy law. By Your grace You justified me, as I cried out in faith to Your Son. Lord, now I earnestly ask You to convict me of those times when I attempt to live by the self-righteous resources of my own flesh. Lord, I need to be sanctified daily by Your grace, even as You previously justified me by Your grace. I praise You that such a work is abundantly available through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0113.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0115.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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