37 lines
4.4 KiB
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37 lines
4.4 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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November 24
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<h1>Once More on Exceedingly Abundant Grace for Transformation</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained <b>mercy</b> because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the <b>grace</b> of our Lord was <b>exceedingly abundant</b>, with <b>faith</b> and <b>love</b> which are <b>in Christ Jesus</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ti', 1, '12-14');">1 Timothy 1:12-14</a>)</div>
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<p>Before Paul believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, he spoke evil of Jesus, oppressed His followers, and exalted himself. <i>"I was <b>formerly</b> a <b>blasphemer</b>, a <b>persecutor</b>, and an <b>insolent</b> man."</i> Yet, God called Paul from this ungodly religious life and made him a faithful, fruitful servant of the Lord. <b>Once more</b> we will see this can only happen by <b>exceedingly abundant grace for transformation</b>.</p>
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<p>This magnificent transformation process <b>began</b> with <b>mercy</b>, the necessary companion of grace. God's <b>mercy</b> holds back the <b>awful consequences</b> that our ungodliness <b>deserves</b>. God's <b>grace</b> brings us the <b>wonderful blessings</b> of godliness that we could <b>never deserve</b>. God was merciful toward Paul's ignorant and unbelieving behavior. <i>"But I obtained <b>mercy</b> because I did it ignorantly in unbelief."</i> The ministry of grace that God would eventually give to Paul (as well as any ministry God has for us) was established upon mercy. <i>"Therefore, since we have <b>this ministry</b></i> [new covenant grace—<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 3, '6-6');">2 Corinthians 3:6</a>]<i>, as we have received <b>mercy</b>, we do not lose heart"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 4, '1-1');">2 Corinthians 4:1</a>). God chose Paul to be a distinctive example of His rich mercy. <i>"For this reason I obtained <b>mercy</b>, that <b>in me</b> first Jesus Christ might <b>show</b> all <b>longsuffering</b>, as a <b>pattern</b> to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ti', 1, '16-16');">1 Timothy 1:16</a>).</p>
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<p>This grand project of transformation then <b>proceeded</b> with <b>grace</b>. <i>"And the <b>grace</b> of our Lord was <b>exceedingly abundant</b> with <b>faith</b> and <b>love</b> which are <b>in Christ Jesus</b>."</i> This bountiful grace brought two spiritual blessings (<b>faith</b> and <b>love</b>) that would be essential for Paul's ministry. Paul had been a man of religious works and self-righteousness. God turned him into a man of <b>faith</b>. <i>"The righteousness of God is revealed from <b>faith</b> to <b>faith</b>; as it is written, 'The <b>just</b> shall <b>live</b> by <b>faith</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 1, '17-17');">Romans 1:17</a>). He had been a man of cruel hatred and religious prejudice. God turned him into a man of <b>love</b>. <i>"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through <b>love</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 5, '6-6');">Galatians 5:6</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord of rich mercy and exceedingly abundant grace, I worship You. I thank You for mercifully holding back the judgment I deserved. I praise You for graciously bringing to me wonderful blessings that I could never deserve. Now, by Your bountiful grace, please work in my heart more faith and love, that I might serve and honor You more effectively. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.</div>
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