37 lines
4.2 KiB
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37 lines
4.2 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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June 13
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<h1>The Better Aspects of the New Covenant of Grace</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>He has obtained a <b>more excellent ministry</b>, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a <b>better covenant</b>, which was established on <b>better promises</b>. For if that <b>first covenant</b> had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a <b>second</b>. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "when I will make a <b>new covenant</b> with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 8, '6-8');">Hebrews 8:6-8</a>)</div>
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<p>These verses contrast the <b>old covenant of law</b> (<i>"that <b>first covenant</b>"</i>) with the <b>new covenant of grace</b> (<i>"a <b>second</b>"</i>). The old covenant of law was good, but the new covenant of grace is far better. The law is ordained of God, but it can never bring what God desires people to experience.</p>
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<p>The law is good, but only if it is used properly. <i>"We know that the <b>law</b> is <b>good</b> if one uses it <b>lawfully</b>, knowing this: that the law is <b>not</b> made for a <b>righteous</b> person, but for the <b>lawless</b> and <b>insubordinate</b>, for the <b>ungodly</b> and for <b>sinners</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ti', 1, '8-9');">1 Timothy 1:8-9</a>). The lawful use of God's law pertains to the unrighteous, the rebellious. The law is not designed to give people a righteous standing in God's sight (justification). <i>"Knowing that a man is <b>not justified by the works of the law</b> but by faith in Jesus Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 2, '16-16');">Galatians 2:16</a>). Nor is the law intended for developing a godly walk (sanctification) in those who are justified through faith in Christ. <i>"For the <b>law</b> made <b>nothing perfect</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 7, '19-19');">Hebrews 7:19</a>). The proper use of the law is to lead people to the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. <i>"The <b>law</b> was our <b>tutor</b> to bring us to <b>Christ</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 3, '24-24');">Galatians 3:24</a>).</p>
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<p>Grace is far better than law. If the law was sufficient, then God would never have sent His Son to die for the establishing of a new covenant. <i>"For if that <b>first covenant</b> had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a <b>second</b>."</i> Since the law was lacking (regarding justification and sanctification), God's plan included the new covenant of grace. <i>"Because finding fault with them, He says: 'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'when I will make a <b>new covenant</b>'."</i> The new covenant of grace has Jesus, the giver of life, as the Mediator. <i>"He has obtained a <b>more excellent ministry</b>, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a <b>better covenant</b>."</i> This new covenant also has greater promises than the law: <i>"a <b>better covenant</b>, which was established on <b>better promises</b>."</i> In the days ahead, we will examine the better aspects of the grace of God.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Father, I agree with You that Your law is good. It tutored me to Your magnificent grace. Lord, teach me the better aspects of Your grace, that I might fully embrace all that You want to accomplish in and through my life, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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