25 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
25 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 7</div></div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>Faith and Grace</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>Through whom also we have <b>access by faith</b> into this <b>grace</b> in which we stand…therefore it is of <b>faith</b> that it might be according to <b>grace</b>…"the just shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',5,2);">Romans 5:2</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Rom',4,16);">4:16</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Rom',1,17);">1:17</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>As noted previously, <b>faith</b> accesses the <b>grace</b> of God. <i>"Through whom also we have <b>access by faith</b> into this <b>grace</b> in which we stand."</i> When we first trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enjoyed our initial access into grace. God intends for His children to continue accessing grace day by day throughout their lives. Every time we face any matter with dependence upon the Lord Jesus, we are <b>drawing from</b> the bottomless ocean of God's grace. Thereby, His grace becomes our resource for living.</p>
|
|
<p>The resources of God's grace cannot be earned, deserved, or produced by man. They must be <b>freely</b> provided by the Lord. From beginning to end, the saving, rescuing, transforming work of God's grace is <i>"the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,8,9);">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>). This truth highlights the strategic nature of faith. Only faith accords with grace. <i>"Therefore it is of <b>faith</b> that it might be according to <b>grace</b>."</i> <b>Faith alone</b> is <b>compatible</b> with grace. Any other approach will not fit with grace.</p>
|
|
<p>This marks another profound distinction between law and grace. <i>"Yet the <b>law</b> is <b>not</b> of <b>faith</b>, but 'The man who <b>does</b> them shall live <b>by them</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',3,12);">Galatians 3:12</a>). The law is about <b>performance</b>. Those who live by the law are left to their own resources to work up a life that measures up to the perfect standards of God. Those who <b>daily</b> put their <b>faith</b> in the Lord Jesus for the issues of life access <b>grace</b> for godly living.</p>
|
|
<p>It is God's will that we live our entire lives by faith (which accesses grace). <i>"The just shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i> This truth is <b>comprehensive</b>. It applies to <b>every</b> aspect of our lives. When we arise in the morning, we can <b>entrust</b> the <b>day</b> into the <b>Lord's</b> care and guidance. As we communicate with our <b>families</b>, we can <b>depend</b> upon <b>Jesus</b> for <b>love</b> and <b>patience</b>. In our drive to the <b>office</b>, we can <b>pray</b> in <b>faith</b> concerning the <b>opportunities</b> and <b>challenges</b> that may await us. If a <b>crisis</b> develops unexpectedly, we can immediately <b>cry out</b> to the <b>Lord</b> for <b>peace</b> and <b>direction</b>. When times of <b>Bible study</b> and <b>worship</b> approach, we can exercise faith toward God to make them spiritually <b>genuine</b> and personally <b>effective</b>. Whatever, whenever, whoever, <i>"The just shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i></p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear faithful Lord, I long to live by faith more and more as each day dawns. I see that this is the only way I can access Your glorious grace. Lord, I need Your grace constantly. No other resource will suffice. Too often I am striving by my best performance. What weariness and failure always results. Show me the areas of my life where I am not trusting in You, that I might look to You anew. In Your gracious name I pray, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0206.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0208.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
|