27 lines
4.3 KiB
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27 lines
4.3 KiB
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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">April 30</div></div>
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<h2>How the Characteristics of Grace Appear</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>And we have <b>such trust</b> through <b>Christ</b> toward <b>God</b>. <b>Not</b> that <b>we</b> are <b>sufficient</b> of <b>ourselves</b> to think of <b>anything</b> as being <b>from ourselves</b>, <b>but</b> our <b>sufficiency</b> is <b>from God</b>, who also made us sufficient as <b>ministers of the new covenant</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,'4-6');">2 Corinthians 3:4-6</a>)</div>
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<p>We have been considering some <b>characteristics</b> that God wants to develop in our lives by His <b>grace</b>: namely, triumphant living, a fragrance of Christ, godly sincerity, and becoming living letters of Christ. <b>How</b> do these <b>appear</b> in our lives in an ever-increasing manner? As Paul wrote on these wonderful descriptions of godly living, his heart was stirred to ask, <i>"And who is <b>sufficient</b> for these things?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',2,16);">2 Corinthians 2:16</a>). Paul fully realized that man <b>cannot</b> produce these realities. Human resources are inadequate.</p>
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<p>These heavenly traits grow in us as we live by the terms of the new covenant (humbly trusting in God, not in ourselves). <i>"And we have <b>such trust</b> through <b>Christ</b> toward <b>God</b>."</i> Paul's confidence in exhibiting these spiritual qualities of life was directed toward God, based upon the relationship that is available in Jesus Christ. This is not self-confidence; it is God-confidence. <b>God</b> must produce these characteristics.</p>
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<p>There is no room for believers to trust in themselves. <i>"<b>Not</b> that <b>we</b> are <b>sufficient</b> of <b>ourselves</b> to think of <b>anything</b> as being <b>from ourselves</b>."</i> We are <b>not</b> the source of <b>any</b> of these wonderful traits of godly living. They must <b>all</b> come from <b>God</b> at work in us. <i>"Our <b>sufficiency</b> is <b>from God</b>."</i> When we live in humble dependency, the Lord's supply becomes our needed sufficiency. <i>"Our sufficiency is from God, who also <b>made us sufficient</b> as <b>ministers of the new covenant</b>."</i></p>
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<p>Yes, new covenant servants live by the grace of God. Consequently, their sufficiency is what the Lord Himself supplies! This is precisely what God promised of old through His prophets. <i>"I will make a <b>new covenant</b> …I will put My law <b>in their minds</b>, and write it <b>on their hearts</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',31,31, 33);">Jeremiah 31:31, 33</a>). God inscribes these spiritual traits upon the inner man (the heart and the mind) by His grace. The results are that these characteristics of godliness develop in our lives.</p>
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<p>Again, we are looking at living by <b>humility</b> and <b>faith</b>. <i>"<b>God</b>… gives <b>grace</b> to the <b>humble</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jam',4,6);">James 4:6</a>). Also, faith accesses grace: <i>"through whom</i> [the Lord Jesus Christ] <i>also we have <b>access by faith</b> into this <b>grace</b> in which we stand"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',5,2);">Romans 5:2</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Holy Father, I long to grow in these godly traits. I am not sufficient to produce them by my resources. My only hope is to be changed by You from the inside out. I humbly bow before You. With confidence in You, I ask that You pour Your grace upon my heart and mind, as I seek You in Your word. Through Christ my Lord, I pray, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/04/0429.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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