38 lines
4.5 KiB
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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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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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October 13
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<h1>The Source of Faith</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>Looking unto <b>Jesus</b>, the <b>author</b> and <b>finisher</b> of our <b>faith</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 12, '2-2');">Hebrews 12:2</a>)</div>
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<p>In order to <b>grow</b> in <b>grace</b>, we must <b>live</b> by <b>faith</b>. <i>"Therefore it is of <b>faith</b> that it might be according to <b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 4, '16-16');">Romans 4:16</a>). We cannot progress spiritually by the use of our natural, Adamic faculties. We must walk by <b>faith</b> in the <b>Lord</b> and His <b>word</b>. <i>"We <b>walk</b> by <b>faith</b>, <b>not</b> by <b>sight</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 5, '7-7');">2 Corinthians 5:7</a>). Yet, where do we get faith? What is <b>the source of faith</b>?</p>
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<p><b>Jesus</b> is the source of our faith: <i>"<b>Jesus</b>, the <b>author</b>… of our <b>faith</b>."</i> If we have saving faith in Christ, it was brought into being by Him. Our faith was authored by Jesus in a <b>revelatory</b> and <b>relational</b> manner. He <b>revealed</b> to us the <b>truth</b> we needed to know (through sermons, personal witnesses, tracts, audio tapes, books, Bible reading, or whatever). Then, He <b>invited</b> us into a <b>relationship</b> with <b>Himself</b>.</p>
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<p>First, He told us the truth about our <b>need</b>. <i>"For <b>all</b> have <b>sinned</b> and <b>fall short</b> of the glory of God…For the <b>wages</b> of <b>sin</b> is <b>death</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 3, '23-23');">Romans 3:23</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Rom', 6, 23);">6:23a</a>). Then, He told us the truth about His loving work on our behalf. <i>"But God demonstrates His own <b>love</b> toward <b>us</b>, in that while we were still <b>sinners</b>, Christ <b>died</b> for <b>us</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 5, '8-8');">Romans 5:8</a>). All the while, His Spirit was convicting us of the reality of these matters. <i>"And when He</i> [the <b>Holy Spirit</b>] <i>has come, He will <b>convict</b> the world of <b>sin</b>, and of <b>righteousness</b>, and of <b>judgment</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 16, '8-8');">John 16:8</a>). Ultimately, Jesus invited us to trust in Him for the gift of salvation. <i>"<b>Come</b> to <b>Me</b>, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will <b>give</b> you <b>rest</b>.…the <b>gift</b> of God is <b>eternal life</b> in <b>Christ Jesus</b> our <b>Lord</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat', 11, '28-28');">Matthew 11:28</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Rom', 6, '23-23');">Romans 6:23b</a>). Basically, Jesus revealed Himself to us as the one who could be trusted to save our souls, so we placed our hope in Him. Thereby, <b>He authored faith</b> in <b>us</b>.</p>
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<p>Now, where are we to go for <b>more</b> faith (for the <b>developing</b> of our faith)? <b>Jesus</b> is the source for this need as well: <i>"<b>Jesus</b>…the… <b>finisher</b> of our <b>faith</b>."</i> The one who authored faith in us now wants to <b>perfect</b> our faith (to <b>mature</b> it) in the <b>same</b> manner that He began it. Initially, we had to have Jesus <b>revealed</b> to us to have faith <b>authored</b> in us. Now, we must have a <b>continuing revelation</b> of Him through His <b>word</b>, if our faith is to be <b>increasingly built up</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, I praise You for authoring faith in me. Thank You for convincing me of my need of forgiveness of sins. Thank You for revealing to me Your great work on the cross. Thank You for inviting me to enter into a relationship with You. Please continue to reveal Yourself to me that my faith might grow and mature, Amen.</div>
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