27 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
27 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
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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">February 1</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
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<h2>Strengthened by Grace</h2>
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<div class="block"><i><b>Be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,1);">2 Timothy 2:1</a>)</div>
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<p>Great <b>strength</b> is <b>necessary</b> for living as God intends. The <b>grace</b> of our Lord Jesus is <b>where</b> that <b>strength</b> is to be <b>found</b>. <i>"<b>Be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus."</i> Some of the specific reasons we need strength are listed in the immediate context of this verse.</p>
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<p>Part of our calling as believers in Christ is passing on to others the biblical truths that God has taught us. <i>"And <b>the things that you have heard</b> from me among many witnesses, <b>commit these to faithful men</b> who will be able to teach others also"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,2);">2 Timothy 2:2</a>). <b>Discipling others</b> in God's truth can be demanding and discouraging. <b>Strength</b> is needed. <i>"<b>Be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus."</i></p>
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<p>Another aspect of our life as disciples of Jesus is functioning as <b>spiritual soldiers</b>. <i>"You therefore must <b>endure hardship as a good soldier</b> of Jesus Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,3);">verse 3</a>). We are the Lord's warriors in a worldwide, lifelong spiritual battle. The battle has been won by our Commander, Jesus. However, the enemy will not stop striking back until he is confined forever. As Jesus' soldiers, we face many hardships. Again, <b>strength</b> is needed. <i>"<b>Be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus."</i></p>
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<p>Another perspective on following Jesus is that of an <b>athlete</b>. <i>"And also if anyone competes in <b>athletics</b>, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,5);">verse 5</a>). As it is in athletics, the Christian life requires discipline, training, and the exertion of great measures of energy. Yet again, <b>strength</b> is needed. <i>"<b>Be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus."</i></p>
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<p>One additional analogy of our life in Christ is that of a <b>farmer</b>. <i>"The <b>hard-working farmer</b> must be first to partake of the crops"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,6);">verse 6</a>). As with farmers, we are to sow the seed of the word upon people's hearts. We are to water that seed through prayer. We are to reap a harvest of righteousness. Farming is strenuous work. Once more, <b>strength</b> is needed. <i>"<b>Be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus."</i></p>
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<p>How wonderful that God did not limit His grace to justification. We need it just as much for sanctification. We need His <b>grace</b> to <b>strengthen</b> us for the diverse <b>spiritual roles</b> that God has for us as <b>disciplers</b>, <b>soldiers</b>, <b>athletes</b>, and <b>farmers</b>. For all of this the <b>only sufficient resource</b> is to <i>"<b>be strong in the grace</b> that is in Christ Jesus."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord of all might and power, I desire to be a faithful discipler, a sacrificial soldier, a disciplined runner, and a laboring farmer. Lord this sounds so right, so good. Yet, You know that I am intimidated by it all as well. I hear the call, and I want to respond; but my strength is so inadequate. So, I look to You and implore You to strengthen me by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0131.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0202.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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