22 lines
4.1 KiB
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22 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">January 12</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>The General Ability of the Law</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>Then the LORD delivered to me <b>two tablets of stone</b> written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken…"You have heard that it was said…<b>But I say to you</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Deu',9,10);">Deuteronomy 9:10</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Mat',5,27,28);">Matthew 5:27-28</a>)</div>
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<p>Although the <b>law of God</b> is <b>unable</b> to <b>justify</b> or <b>sanctify</b>, it <b>does have</b> some <b>strategic ability</b> in <b>God's plan</b> for man. These verses from the Torah (Hebrew for law) and the Sermon on the Mount help us reflect upon this matter. These two profound sections of the Bible pertain to the law of God. Torah refers to the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy. These books give an <b>extensive explanation</b> of the <b>message</b> of God's law. The Sermon on the Mount (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',5,'1-');">Matthew 5</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Mat',6,'1-');">6</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Mat',7,'1-');">7</a>) includes <b>Jesus' clarification</b> of <b>man's understanding</b> of the law.</p><p>When these portions of the Bible are read, studied, or taught, the <b>general ability</b> of the law is at work. In these passages the very <b>character</b> and <b>will</b> of <b>God</b> are revealed. The message related to those <i>"<b>two tablets of stone</b>"</i> spoke of <b>God's character</b>, <i>"I the Lord, your God, <b>am holy</b>."</i> The summary of this message expressed <b>God's will</b> for man, <i>"<b>be holy</b>."</i> The details of the message indicated what holiness would be like in conduct toward God and in relationships with others. Jesus' words would eventually extend this message of holiness even into attitudes of the heart.</p><p>The law of God is His standard for spiritual measurement. By His law, God measures holiness in people's lives by revealing His will, which is based upon His holy character. This is why <b>all</b> of us <i>"<b>fall short</b> of the glory of God"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',3,23);">Romans 3:23</a>). <b>We don't measure up</b> to God's holy standard.</p><p>The measuring instruments of man are a helpful illustration of the law. When a tape measure is used to evaluate the height of people, it measures growth or reveals the absence of it. It does not produce human growth. So it is with the law of God. The law describes and measures <b>what</b> God wants lives to look like. It does <b>not cause</b> such spiritual growth to appear. <b>Only God's grace</b> at work in our lives is the sufficient dynamic that <b>produces</b> spiritual growth.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord, my hope, I give You praise for Your holy character, revealed in Your holy law. I agree with Your will, desiring holiness in my life. I also agree with You that I have fallen far short of Your glorious standard. Thank You for cleansing me of all unrighteousness. Thank You for clothing me in the righteousness of Your dear Son. Now I place my hope in You for any and all progress in the path of righteousness. O Lord, have Your way in my life, working Your will, by Your grace, through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.</div>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0111.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0113.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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