26 lines
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26 lines
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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 28</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>Growing in the Grace of God</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>But <b>grow in the grace</b> and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Pe',3,'18-18');">2 Peter 3:18</a>)</div>
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<p>Let's reflect upon some of the heavenly territory we have explored thus far. <b>Grace</b> is for spiritual <b>growth</b> and <b>progress</b> in the Lord. It is not intended <b>only</b> for birthing and starting out with the Lord. <i>"But <b>grow in the grace</b>…of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."</i> <b>Growth</b> in Christ <b>always</b> results as God's <b>grace</b> works in us.</p>
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<p>At times, we can be apprehensive about such an emphasis upon God's grace. We become concerned that irresponsibility, ungodliness, laziness, or indulgence will result. We can rest assured on the promises and purposes of God that <b>true grace</b> does <b>not</b> produce such consequences. <b>Ungodly</b> living <b>always</b> involves the <b>flesh</b> of man, which is inclined toward <b>licentiousness</b> and <b>legalism</b>.</p>
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<p><b>Licentiousness</b> hopes to <b>turn grace</b> into a means by which <b>sinful indulgence</b> is acceptable. <i>"For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who <b>turn</b> the <b>grace</b> of our God into <b>licentiousness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jud', 1, 4);">Jude v.4</a>). <b>Legalism</b> aspires to add <b>religious performance</b> to <b>grace</b>, thereby appealing to the <b>self-righteous</b> hopes of man. <i>"Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you <b>now</b> being <b>made perfect</b> by the <b>flesh</b>?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',3,'2-3');">Galatians 3:2-3</a>).</p>
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<p>When a person <b>truly lives</b> by the <b>grace</b> of God, <b>righteousness</b> results, not ungodliness. As a person <b>increasingly</b> learns to <b>draw</b> upon God's <b>grace</b> for daily living, <b>Christlikeness</b> develops, not worldliness. As <b>grace</b> becomes our <b>resource</b> for life, <b>sin diminishes</b>; it does not increase. <i>"For <b>sin</b> shall <b>not</b> have <b>dominion</b> over you: <b>for</b> you are <b>not</b> under <b>law</b> but under <b>grace</b>" (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',6,'14-14');">Romans 6:14</a>).</i></p>
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<p><i>The <b>temptation</b> is to <b>rely</b> upon the <b>law</b> of God in order to <b>generate godliness</b>. The demand of the law to be <b>holy</b>, <b>loving</b>, and <b>perfect</b> becomes a false security to our flesh. We think that by hearing, repeating, or striving to meet this demand, we can thereby accomplish it. Let us not forget that <i>"the <b>law</b> made <b>nothing perfect</b>; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a <b>better hope</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',7,'18-19');">Hebrews 7:18-19</a>). God's <b>grace</b> is the <i>"better hope"</i> that does not fail to bring forth what God desires.</i></p>
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<p>The Lord has ordained for us a life-long involvement with His grace. He wants to work <i>"<b>grace</b> for</i> [upon] <i><b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,'16-16');">John 1:16</a>) for the rest of our days. This is the <i>"<b>new</b> and <b>living</b> way"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,'20-20');">Hebrews 10:20</a>). Perhaps this could all be summarized in another acronym on grace: "<b>G</b>lorious <b>R</b>ealities <b>A</b>s <b>C</b>hrist <b>E</b>mpowers.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Gracious Father, how bountiful is Your provision for my spiritual growth. How foolish of me to think that I need more for developing in godliness than Your grace supplies. O Lord, I long to grow in the image of Christ. I beseech You, remind me and convince me that Your grace is the only sufficient hope. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0127.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0129.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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