24 lines
4.2 KiB
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24 lines
4.2 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 21</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>The New Covenant Inaugurated for the Church</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a <b>better covenant</b>, which <b>was established</b> on better promises…And the Holy Spirit also <b>witnesses to us</b>…"This is the <b>covenant</b> that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts"…Therefore, <b>brethren</b>, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a <b>new and living way</b> which <b>He consecrated for us</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',8,6);">Hebrews 8:6</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,15,16,19,20);">10:15-16, 19-20</a>)</div>
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<p>This <b>new covenant</b> of <b>grace</b> (promised to Israel eventually) has <b>already</b> been <b>inaugurated</b> for the <b>church</b> now. The book of Hebrews documents this fact repeatedly. <i>"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a <b>better covenant</b>, which <b>was established</b> on better promises."</i> Here in <a onClick="return mV('Hbr',8,6);">chapter 8, verse 6</a>, the new covenant is referred to as <i>"a <b>better covenant</b>."</i> Then, the instituting of this new covenant is described in the past tense, <i>"<b>was established</b>."</i> It has <b>already</b> been put into <b>operation</b> for the <b>church</b>.</p>
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<p>In <a onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,16);">Hebrews 10:16</a>, the promise of the <b>new covenant</b> is quoted from <a onClick="return mV('Jer',31,'1-');">Jeremiah 31</a>. <i>"This is <b>the covenant</b> that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts."</i> In the previous verse, we are told that this quote from Jeremiah includes a message from the Holy Spirit to us, the church of Jesus Christ. <i>"And the Holy Spirit also <b>witnesses to us</b>."</i></p>
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<p>Furthermore, in <a onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,19,20);">Hebrews 10:19-20</a>, the <b>new covenant</b> is applied to the access of the <i>"<b>brethren</b>"</i> (the <b>church</b>, God's children) to their holy God and Father. <i>"Therefore, <b>brethren</b>, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a <b>new and living way</b> which He <b>consecrated for us</b>."</i> Through His death on the cross, Jesus consecrated (that is, inaugurated, instituted, established, put into operation) the <b>new covenant</b> for us today!</p>
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<p>Of course, this all fits perfectly with the application of the <b>new covenant</b> to the <b>church</b> celebrating the <b>Lord's Supper</b>. <i>"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the <b>new covenant</b> in My blood'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr',11,25);">1 Corinthians 11:25</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord of Glory, I rejoice with great gladness that Your new covenant of grace is the wondrous manner in which I am invited to relate to You. In this rich covenant, I have found forgiveness of all my sins. Praise be to Your name! In this bountiful arrangement, I can grow in intimacy with You. Blessed be Your name! In this generous provision, I anticipate being changed and enabled by You from deep within my heart. Glory be to Your name forevermore!</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0120.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0122.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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