26 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
26 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 17</div></div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>Once More on Grace and Good Works</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>For we are <b>His workmanship</b>, created in Christ Jesus <b>for good works</b>, which <b>God prepared beforehand</b> that we should <b>walk in them</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,10);">Ephesians 2:10</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>In examining <b>grace</b> and <b>good works</b>, we are again seeing that God's grace is <b>not</b> only His <b>willingness</b> to <b>forgive</b> us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but it is <b>also</b> His <b>resource</b> for <b>shaping</b> and <b>using</b> our lives as believers.</p>
|
|
<p>God desires that we become amply engaged in good works, to glorify His name in the edifying of His people and the reaching of the lost. Although we are not saved <b>by</b> good works (<i>"<b>not of works</b>, lest anyone should boast"</i>—<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,9);">Ephesians 2:9</a>), we are saved <b>unto</b> good works (<i>"created in Christ Jesus <b>for good works</b>"</i>).</p>
|
|
<p>Our <b>hope</b> of <b>abounding</b> in <b>good works</b> rests upon the <b>gracious</b> working of God on our behalf. First, He remakes us through new birth in His Son: <i>"<b>created</b> in Christ Jesus."</i> Then, He continues to work on us. <b>We</b> do <b>not</b> shape ourselves into an instrument that the Lord can use. <b>God</b> willingly takes that responsibility upon <b>Himself</b>. <i>"For we are <b>His workmanship</b>."</i> God wants to shape our lives like a work of art, thoroughly crafting us in relationship to His purposes for each of our lives.</p>
|
|
<p>God's gracious work extends beyond new birth and subsequent fashioning. He even <b>prepares</b> the <b>good works</b> in which He wants us eventually to be engaged: <i>"Created in Christ Jesus for good works, which <b>God prepared beforehand</b>."</i> Think of it. The Lord has already arranged the acts of service in which He intends for us to be occupied! Then, why are we not always involved in such good works? The answer is related to this phrase: <i>"that we should <b>walk in them</b>."</i> We <b>do</b> have a <b>strategic responsibility</b> in this process. We are to humbly and dependently walk with the Lord Jesus every day.</p>
|
|
<p>Jesus addressed this matter. <i>"Then they said to Him, 'What shall <b>we do</b>, that we may <b>work the works of God</b>?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you <b>believe in Him</b> whom He sent'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',6,28,29);">John 6:28-29</a>). Exercising <b>faith</b> in the <b>Lord</b> is what brings us into the workings of God for our lives. This involves believing in His plan, as revealed in His word. This includes trusting that His will is best for us. This comprises walking in reliance upon Him, allowing Him to guide us each day into the appropriate good works. Such a response brings service <b>empowered</b> by <b>grace</b>, as seen in the early church. <i>"And with great <b>power</b> the apostles <b>gave witness</b> to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And <b>great grace</b> was upon them all"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act',4,33);">Acts 4:33</a>).</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Creator of heaven and earth, I thank You for creating me anew in Christ Jesus. I praise You for Your ongoing work in me. Please shape me into an instrument You can use. Lord, forgive me when I am irresponsible through self-will or self-sufficiency. Lord, I want to humbly and dependently follow You each day, in the light of Your word, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0216.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0218.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>
|
|
|