21 lines
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21 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 18</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>Righteousness through Christ in Sanctification</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>For what the <b>law</b> could <b>not</b> do in that it was <b>weak</b> through the <b>flesh</b>, <b>God did</b> by <b>sending</b> His own <b>Son</b> in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the <b>righteous requirement</b> of the <b>law</b> might be <b>fulfilled in us</b> who do <b>not walk</b> according to the <b>flesh but</b> according to the <b>Spirit</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,'3-4');">Romans 8:3-4</a>)</div>
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<p>How wonderful it is to be <i>"<b>justified freely</b> by <b>His grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',3,24);">Romans 3:24</a>). Yet, what disappointment and discouragement awaits us, if we do not learn that God desires to <b>sanctify</b> us <b>freely</b> by <b>His grace</b> as well. This plan of God, as we should expect, hinges upon the work of Jesus Christ, as we depend upon Him.</p><p>In matters of <b>justification</b>, as well as <b>sanctification</b>, the <b>law</b> has a <b>weakness</b>. This weakness is that <b>man</b>, by natural human resources (the <b>flesh</b>), <b>cannot</b> live up to the <b>standards</b> of <b>God</b>. Thus, to accomplish what the law could never accomplish, the Father sent His Son. <i>"For what the <b>law</b> could <b>not</b> do in that it was <b>weak</b> through the <b>flesh</b>, <b>God did</b> by <b>sending</b> His own <b>Son</b>."</i></p><p>Jesus came as a man and died on the cross to eradicate the consequences of sin. This death of Christ certainly provided <b>justification</b> for all who would believe in the Lord Jesus. Yet, the next verse reveals that through His sacrificial death practical <b>sanctification</b> is available day by day <b>through faith</b> in the Lord. <i>"That the <b>righteous requirement</b> of the law might be <b>fulfilled in us</b> who do <b>not walk</b> according to the <b>flesh but</b> according to the <b>Spirit</b>."</i></p><p>The word <i>"<b>walk</b>" makes <a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,4);">Romans 8:4</a> a verse on progressive <b>sanctification</b>, not justification. <b>Justification</b> takes place with the first <b>moment</b> of faith in Christ. <b>Sanctification</b> continues <b>step by step</b>, day by day, throughout the life of a believer.</i></p><p>Think of this grand truth. God's grace provides a way <i>"that the <b>righteous requirement</b> of the <b>law</b> might be <b>fulfilled in us</b>."</i> Remember, the heavenly demand is <i>"be <b>holy</b>,"</i> be <b>like Christ</b>. This transformation of life takes place daily in the life of any believer who does <i>"<b>not walk</b> according to the <b>flesh but</b> according to the <b>Spirit</b>."</i> If we <b>renounce</b> the natural resources of man and <b>trust</b> in the Lord Jesus step by step through life, His <b>Holy Spirit</b> accomplishes His <b>sanctifying</b> work <b>in us</b> by the <b>grace</b> of God.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord of compassion and generosity, what bountiful grace You offer to us; grace that justifies and grace that sanctifies. How foolish and unnecessary have been my futile attempts to fulfill the lofty requirements of Your holy law by my own feeble efforts. Father, how thrilling and encouraging to see that You have provided a gracious and effective way for me to grow in Christlikeness. This day I place my hope for godly progress in the irreplaceable work of Your Holy Spirit in me, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0117.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0119.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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