21 lines
4.1 KiB
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21 lines
4.1 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 16</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>Jesus Fulfilling the Law</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy <b>but to fulfill</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',5,'17-17');">Matthew 5:17</a>)</div>
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<p>The <b>standard</b> of the <b>law</b> of God is <b>infinitely</b> high and lofty: <i>"be <b>holy</b>, be <b>loving</b>, be <b>perfect</b>."</i> This is because the law reflects the very <b>character</b> of <b>God</b>. In light of this, we may wonder if there is any way that the law can be fulfilled. <b>How</b> could the righteous demands of the law <b>ever</b> be met in <b>our</b> lives? The answer to this vital question is contained in the truth that <b>Jesus</b> came <i>"<b>to fulfill</b>" the <b>law</b>.</i></p><p><i>Consider how comprehensive was Jesus' fulfillment of the law. He fulfilled the law in His <b>life</b>, becoming our <b>example</b>. As Jesus lived, He showed us what life would look like if one could always, in every way, live up to the heavenly standards of God. Jesus' testimony was <i>"I <b>always</b> do those things that <b>please Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,29);">John 8:29</a>).</i></p><p>Further, He fulfilled the law in His <b>death</b>, becoming <b>our</b> substitutionary <b>sacrifice</b>. The law included a <b>penalty</b> for violation, and that penalty was <b>death</b>. <i>"The <b>soul</b> who <b>sins</b> shall <b>die</b>…For the <b>wages</b> of <b>sin</b> is <b>death</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eze',18,4);">Ezekiel 18:4</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Rom',6,23);">Romans 6:23</a>). Jesus lovingly died in our place to pay that penalty which we owed. <i>"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, <b>Christ died for us</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',5,8);">Romans 5:8</a>).</p><p>Additionally, He wants to fulfill the law now <b>in our daily experience</b>, by being <b>our life</b>: <i>"<b>Christ</b> who is <b>our life</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',3,4);">Colossians 3:4</a>). The Lord Jesus wants to live in and through the lives of His disciples, as we daily put our faith in Him. <i>"It is <b>no</b> longer <b>I</b> who live, but <b>Christ lives in me</b>; and the <b>life</b> which I <b>now</b> live in the flesh <b>I live by faith</b> in the Son of God"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',2,20);">Galatians 2:20</a>).</p><p>Yes, <b>Jesus fulfills</b> the <b>law comprehensively</b>!</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Father of Glory, what marvelous grace—what marvelous grace! Such a thorough provision is supplied by Your grace. Through the work of Jesus, my Lord, the law is fulfilled. Its holy demands are met on my behalf. My failure before Your law is fully covered by Your grace. Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the penalty for my sins. My desire to grow in the righteous life that You lived, and that the law describes, is fully available by Your grace. O Lord, this is grace upon grace. For this I praise You, and I rejoice with expectation. Lord Jesus, by faith I now look to You to be my life this day. Lord, inhabit my heart and shape my attitudes, my words, my relationships, and my deeds, I pray in Your mighty name, Amen.</div>
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