25 lines
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25 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">February 27</div></div>
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<h2>Set Free by the Spirit</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>For the law of the <b>Spirit</b> of <b>life in Christ Jesus</b> has made me <b>free</b> from the law of <b>sin and death</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,2);">Romans 8:2</a>)</div>
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<p>There is a <b>destructive spiritual tendency</b> that resides in <b>every</b> human being. It is <i>"the law of <b>sin and death</b>."</i> This indwelling principle is always pulling people downward into sin and spiritual deadness. It comes from being physically born into a fallen race of sinners who are like their earthly father, Adam. Being born anew spiritually does not remove this problem, since this principle still operates within our natural humanity (the <b>flesh</b>). Yet, becoming a child of God does make <b>His</b> remedy <b>constantly</b> available to us.</p>
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<p>God's remedy for<i>"the law of <b>sin and death</b>"</i> is a higher, more powerful principle: <i>"the law of the <b>Spirit</b> of <b>life in Christ Jesus</b>."</i> This lofty principle involves the Holy Spirit making the life that is in Christ Jesus our resource for living. This principle is operating in the life of any new creature in Christ who is <b>not walking</b> <i>"according to the <b>flesh</b> but</i> [<b>is walking</b>] <i>according to the <b>Spirit</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,4);">Romans 8:4b</a>). This approach to Christian living is the only one that can liberate us from the internal carnal tendencies that influence us all.</p>
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<p>In fact (as we have noted previously), this is the <b>only hope</b> of growing in the godliness that the law demanded: <i>"that the righteous requirement of the law might be <b>fulfilled</b> in <b>us</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,4);">Romans 8:4a</a>). Our lives can only measure up to the holy will of God when we are walking in the Spirit, because Christ is then being allowed to express His life through us. Jesus was (and is) the only one who could ever walk fully pleasing to the Father. Jesus said, <i>"I <b>always</b> do those things that <b>please Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,29);">John 8:29</a>). For a victorious Christian experience, we need this same life of Jesus living in and through us now, by the working of the Holy Spirit. We need the <b>higher</b> law (<i>"the law of the <b>Spirit</b> of <b>life in Christ Jesus</b>"</i>) setting us free from the <b>lower</b> law (<i>"the law of <b>sin and death</b>"</i>).</p>
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<p>Again, what is <b>our responsibility</b> in this? We are to <b>relate to the Lord</b> in <b>humility</b> and <b>faith</b>. <b>Humility</b> can develop as we agree with our Lord that <i>"the law of <b>sin and death</b>"</i> characterizes our flesh (our best natural resources). <b>Faith</b> can be exercised as we look to our Lord to demonstrate that <i>"the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus <b>has made me free from</b> the law of sin and death."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord Jesus, You alone can supply the life I am called to live. I humbly agree with Your word that my resources are marred by a tendency to sin. Teach me to trust in Your Holy Spirit for liberation from living by my flesh. I thank You in advance for the faithful ways You will answer this prayer. Lord Jesus, live in and through me by the power of Your Spirit, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0226.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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