38 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
38 lines
4.5 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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July 27
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<h1>How We are to Respond to God's Promises</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>For I am not ashamed of the <b>gospel of Christ</b>, for it is the <b>power of God</b> to <b>salvation</b> for everyone who <b>believes</b>, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For <b>in it</b> the <b>righteousness of God</b> is <b>revealed</b> from <b>faith</b> to <b>faith</b>; as it is written, "The just shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 1, '16-17');">Romans 1:16-17</a>)</div>
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<p>How are we to <b>respond to God's promises</b> of blessing? Such promises are not automatically at work in every life that hears them. Some people respond correctly, while others respond improperly. Some enjoy the benefits of God's promises, whereas others do not. In these two verses, we are given the <b>necessary response</b> to all that pertains to the <b>gospel of grace</b>. That response is <b>faith</b>. This would certainly include living by the <b>promises of God</b>.</p>
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<p>Paul was unashamed of the gospel because he knew its effective character. <i>"For I am not ashamed of the <b>gospel of Christ</b>, for it is the <b>power of God</b> to <b>salvation</b>."</i> The good news about Jesus Christ is essentially the <b>grace of God</b> proclaimed to man: <i>"the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to <b>testify</b> to the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>grace of God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 20, '24-24');">Acts 20:24</a>). This grace is God's power poured out unto the saving of souls. This power is experienced by all who place their <b>faith</b> in the gospel, whether Jew or Gentile: <i>"for <b>everyone</b> who <b>believes</b>, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."</i> The gospel is effective, because it holds forth God's <b>righteousness</b> to sinful man, if he is willing to <b>trust</b> in the Lord. <i>"For <b>in it</b> the <b>righteousness of God</b> is <b>revealed</b> from <b>faith</b> to <b>faith</b>."</i></p>
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<p>The gospel is referred to in the Scriptures as a promise. <i>"And this is the <b>promise</b> that He has <b>promised</b> us—eternal life"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Jo', 2, '25-25');">1 John 2:25</a>). The gospel is often stated in the form of promises: <i>"But we believe that through the <b>grace</b> of the Lord Jesus Christ we <b>shall be saved</b>… whoever <b>calls</b> upon the <b>name</b> of the Lord <b>shall be saved</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 15, '11-11');">Acts 15:11</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Rom', 10, '13-13');">Romans 10:13</a>). These gospel promises are partaken of by <b>faith</b>. <i>"The just shall live <b>by faith</b>."</i></p>
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<p>In addition to initial salvation, the good news of God's grace includes many other promises from God. <i>"I <b>will build</b> My church…You <b>shall know the truth</b>, and the truth <b>shall make you free</b>…When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He <b>will guide you</b> into all truth"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat', 16, '18-18');">Matthew 16:18</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 8, '32-32');">John 8:32</a>; and <a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 16, 13);">16:13</a>). All of these promises are experienced by <b>faith</b> as well, because <i>"the just shall live <b>by faith</b>"</i>—<b>continually</b>, as well as initially.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord God, I want to respond to Your promises properly. How gracious that You only ask me to trust in what You have promised to do. I do not want to ignore Your promises or doubt them. I want to live by relying upon every promise You have ever made. In Your faithful name I pray, Amen.</div>
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