38 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
38 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
|
|
<html>
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
|
|
Day By Day By Grace
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">
|
|
Bob Hoekstra
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
November 20
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just">
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h1>Reigning in Life by the "Much More" Grace of God</h1>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, <b>much more</b> those who receive <b>abundance of grace</b> and of the gift of righteousness will <b>reign</b> <b>in life</b> through the One, Jesus Christ.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 5, '17-17');">Romans 5:17</a>)</div>
|
|
<p><b>Man's problems</b> are a result of his relationship with <b>Adam</b>, who fell in sin and rebellion. <b>God's remedies</b> are found in a new relationship with <b>Jesus Christ</b>. As we have seen, all of humanity begins life ruled by a tyrant dictator called death. <i>"By the one man's offense <b>death reigned</b> through the one."</i> However, when people become related to Jesus Christ through faith, they can learn to <b>reign in life by the</b> "<b>much more</b>" <b>grace of God</b>.</p>
|
|
<p>Notice again that God's remedy for those under the reign of death is two-fold: <i>"those who receive <b>abundance of grace</b> and of the <b>gift of righteousness</b> will reign in life."</i> Every Christian has received, and has been standing in, the gift of righteousness since the day they were justified by faith in the Lord. This is the only way that anyone can be accepted by a holy, righteous God. Yet, having this wonderful gift of imputed righteousness (credited to our account in heaven) does <b>not</b> automatically bring spiritual victory into the daily lives of God's justified saints. Many Christians, although possessing this gift of righteousness, do not walk in daily victory. The reason for this lack of victory is related to God's other provision, <i>"<b>abundance of grace</b>."</i></p>
|
|
<p>Many Christians do not <b>characteristically</b> live by <b>receiving</b> God's <b>grace</b>. Many attempt to live victoriously by merely doing all that they can by their own human resources. Step by step, they hope to <b>achieve</b> victory through their best efforts. This always proves inadequate, because victory must be <b>received</b> from the Lord. <i>"But thanks be to God, who <b>gives</b> us the <b>victory</b> through our Lord Jesus Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 15, '57-57');">1 Corinthians 15:57</a>). "<b>Give</b> and <b>receive</b>" is the language of <b>grace</b> (which depends upon the work of <b>God</b>). "<b>Earn</b> and <b>achieve</b>" is the language of <b>law</b> (which depends upon the work of <b>man</b>).</p>
|
|
<p>Jesus, filled with overflowing grace, came to man's rescue. <i>"And the <b>Word</b> became flesh and dwelt among us…<b>full</b> of <b>grace</b> and truth"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 1, '14-14');">John 1:14</a>). Now, for those forgiven by grace, there is a victorious life to be lived by humble dependence upon the "abundance of God's grace." This is available to us through our new relationship with the Lord. <i>"<b>Much more</b> those who receive <b>abundance of grace</b> and of the gift of righteousness will <b>reign in life</b> through the One, Jesus Christ."</i></p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Father God, I see that Your grace is the resource for living as a Christlike overcomer, reigning in life. Lord, I humble myself before You, admitting my need for Your grace. I reach out to You in faith, praising You that there is abundance of grace available for such victorious living!</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1119.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1121.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|