15 lines
4.8 KiB
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15 lines
4.8 KiB
HTML
<html><head><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">December 10</div></div>
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<h1>Give, the Language of Grace</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>I have written more boldly to you on some points…because of the <b>grace given</b> to me by God…I thank my God always concerning you for the <b>grace</b> of God which was <b>given</b> to you by Christ Jesus.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 15, '15-15');">Romans 15:15</a> and <a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 1, '4-4');">1 Corinthians 1:4</a>)</div>
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<p>The <b>grace</b> of God (which produces boldness in those who live by it) is a <b>gift</b> from God. <i>"I have written more boldly to you on some points… because of the <b>grace given</b> to me by God."</i> In fact, "<b>give</b>" is basic to <b>the language of grace</b>.</p><p>When Paul began his first letter to the believers in Corinth, he emphasized this truth. <i>"I thank my God always concerning you for the <b>grace</b> of God which was <b>given</b> to you by Christ Jesus."</i> This is the starting point for all of the work of God in human hearts. The initial work of salvation is by the gift of God's grace. None of it is produced by the work of man. <i>"For by <b>grace</b> you have been <b>saved</b> through faith, and that <b>not</b> of <b>yourselves</b>; it is the <b>gift</b> of God, <b>not</b> of <b>works</b>, lest anyone should boast"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 2, '8-9');">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>). This same pattern of the giving of grace is true concerning every good thing that God wants to accomplish in man. <i>"<b>Every good gift</b> and <b>every perfect gift</b> is from <b>above</b>, and comes <b>down</b> from the <b>Father</b> of lights"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jam', 1, '17-17');">James 1:17</a>).</p><p>What God wants to do in our hearts is accomplished by His <b>grace</b>, which must be <b>given</b> to us. This is true concerning eternal life. <i>"And I <b>give</b> them <b>eternal life</b>, and they shall never perish"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 10, '28-28');">John 10:28</a>). This also pertains to the Holy Spirit in our lives. <i>"And I will pray the Father, and He will <b>give</b> you another <b>Helper</b>, that He may abide with you forever"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 14, '16-16');">John 14:16</a>). It is true concerning spiritual gifts. <i>"But the <b>manifestation</b> of the <b>Spirit</b> is <b>given</b> to each one for the profit of all…But to each one of us <b>grace</b> was <b>given</b> according to the measure of Christ's gift"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 12, '7-7');">1 Corinthians 12:7</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Eph', 4, '7-7');">Ephesians 4:7</a>). This pattern applies to spiritual rest and peace as well. <i>"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will <b>give</b> you <b>rest</b>…<b>Peace</b> I leave with you, My <b>peace</b> I <b>give</b> to you; not as the world gives do I <b>give</b> to you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 11, '28-28');">John 11:28</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 14, '27-27');">14:27</a>). When it comes to the greatest matter of all (getting to know the Lord better), God must give to us what is required for such growth: <i>"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may <b>give</b> to you the <b>spirit</b> of <b>wisdom</b> and <b>revelation</b> in the <b>knowledge</b> of <b>Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 1, '17-17');">Ephesians 1:17</a>). All of these precious benefits from God are a result of His <b>giving</b> of His <b>grace</b> into our lives.</p><p>Will the giving heart of God ever cease toward us? We need never fear that God will tire of giving us grace. <i>"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to <b>give</b> you the <b>kingdom</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 12, '32-32');">Luke 12:32</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God, giver of every gift of grace, I thank You for the rich and extensive grace that You have given to me. Help me to understand that all of Your kingdom is brought into my experience by the giving of Your grace, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div></div><div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/12/1209.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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