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 15</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>The Law Tutoring People to Christ</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>Therefore the <b>law</b> was our <b>tutor</b> to <b>bring</b> us to <b>Christ</b>, that we might be justified by faith. But after <b>faith</b> has come, we are <b>no longer under a tutor</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',3,24,25);">Galatians 3:24-25</a>)</div>
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<p>The <b>ultimate ability</b> of the <b>law</b> of God is its capacity to <b>tutor people</b> to <b>Christ</b>. <i>"The <b>law</b> was our <b>tutor</b> to <b>bring</b> us to <b>Christ</b>."</i> It is the plan of God to use His law to inform us about our great need for Jesus Christ. Remember the <b>summaries</b> of the law of God: "be <b>holy</b>, be <b>loving</b>, be <b>perfect</b>."</p><p>The law demands that we be <b>holy</b>. We are convicted that we are not holy. Thereby, the law is saying to us: "<b>You need Jesus Christ</b>." The law requires that we be loving. We realize that we are not <b>loving</b>. Thereby, the law is declaring to us: "<b>You need Jesus Christ</b>." The law insists that we be <b>perfect</b>. We know that we are not perfect. Thereby, the law is announcing to us: "<b>You need Jesus Christ</b>." In this process the law functions as <b>tutor</b> (schoolmaster or child-trainer), instructing people of their need for that which only <b>Christ</b> can provide through <b>His grace</b>.</p><p>Now that we have responded to the law's tutoring work, we are no longer under the tutor. Now that we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the law. <i>"But after <b>faith</b> has come, we are <b>no longer under a tutor</b>."</i></p><p>Whereas we once were told by the law to be holy, now we <b>look</b> to <b>Christ</b> for all <b>personal holiness</b>. <i>"But of Him <b>you</b> are <b>in Christ Jesus</b>,<b></b> who <b>became for us</b>…<b>righteousness</b> and <b>sanctification</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr',1,30;">1 Corinthians 1:30</a>).</p><p>Whereas we once were told by the law to be loving, now we <b>look</b> to the <b>Spirit</b> of Christ for all the <b>love</b> that our lives are to show forth. <i>"But the <b>fruit</b> of the <b>Spirit</b> is <b>love</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,22);">Galatians 5:22</a>).</p><p>Whereas we once were told by the law to be <b>perfect</b>, now we <b>look</b> to the <b>Lord</b> for all of the <b>perfecting</b> process. <i>"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you <b>will complete it</b> until the day of Jesus Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl',1,6);">Philippians 1:6</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord, my Redeemer, thank You for using Your law as a tutor to lead me to Jesus Christ. Your law was so correct regarding my desperate need of a Savior. Now I rejoice that I am no longer under that tutor. What a delight to relate to You by faith and not by performance. What a precious blessing to humbly hope in the Lord Jesus for righteousness and love and growth. How wonderful to look to a gracious, loving Person, the Lord Jesus, instead of to a perfect unyielding standard, the law. Lord Jesus, please complete in me the good work of Your grace that began when I first believed in You. In Your name, and for Your glory, I pray, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0114.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0116.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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