38 lines
4.2 KiB
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38 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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August 2
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<h1>Even More on God's Promises and God's Law</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>For the <b>promise</b> that he would be the heir of the world was <b>not</b> to Abraham or to his seed through the <b>law</b>, but through the <b>righteousness of faith</b>. For if those who are of the <b>law</b> are heirs, <b>faith</b> is made <b>void</b> and the <b>promise</b> made of <b>no effect</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 4, '13-14');">Romans 4:13-14</a>)</div>
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<p>These words from the book of Romans provide further consideration of <b>God's promises and God's law</b>. Abraham is again the person around whom the insights unfold.</p>
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<p>God promised Abraham blessings beyond measure. <i>"Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed <b>all</b> the <b>families</b> of the <b>earth</b> shall be <b>blessed</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 28, '14-14');">Genesis 28:14</a>). These promises were not contingent upon Abraham's ability to follow God's holy law. <i>"For the <b>promise</b> that he would be the heir of the world was <b>not</b> to Abraham or to his seed through the <b>law</b>."</i> When God made these promises to Abraham, the law was still hundreds of years from being revealed. Likewise, these promises were not contingent upon circumcision (the sign of this covenant with Abraham). <i>"And he received the <b>sign</b> of <b>circumcision</b>, a seal of the <b>righteousness</b> of the <b>faith</b> which he had <b>while still uncircumcised</b>, that he might be the father of <b>all</b> those who <b>believe</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 4, '11-11');">Romans 4:11</a>). Circumcision was added <b>after</b> Abraham heard the <b>promises</b> and <b>believed</b>.</p>
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<p>In these encounters with God, Abraham was being asked to put his trust and confidence in the Lord. <i>"For the <b>promise</b> that he would be the heir of the world was <b>not</b> to Abraham or to his seed <b>through the law</b>, but <b>through the righteousness of faith</b>."</i> When Abraham believed in the promises of God, at that moment, God declared him righteous in His sight. <i>"Abraham <b>believed</b> God, and it was <b>accounted</b> to him for <b>righteousness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 4, '3-3');">Romans 4:3</a>). Abraham <b>trusted in the Lord</b>, and this gave him a right standing with God and allowed him to enter into God's promises.</p>
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<p>The only other option to "God-dependent faith" would be "self-dependent law performance." Such an approach to God would be totally unacceptable. <i>"For if those who are of the <b>law</b> are heirs, <b>faith</b> is made <b>void</b> and the <b>promise</b> made of <b>no effect</b>."</i> Attempting to merit God's promises by law performance says we view <b>faith</b> in Him as <b>meaningless</b>. Striving to earn what God has pledged to provide says we consider His <b>promises</b> as <b>ineffectual</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord, forgive me for my frequent attempts to accomplish by my performance that which You offer by promise. Lord, I see that this shows disdain for faith in You and for Your promises to me. Please give me a fresh new awareness of the excellence of faith and the power of Your promises, Amen.</div>
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