25 lines
4.3 KiB
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25 lines
4.3 KiB
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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 23</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>Living as Servants of the New Covenant</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i><b>Not</b> that we are <b>sufficient</b> of <b>ourselves</b> to think of <b>anything</b> as being <b>from ourselves</b>, but <b>our sufficiency</b> is <b>from God</b>, who also made us sufficient as <b>ministers</b> of the <b>new covenant</b>, <b>not</b> of the <b>letter</b> but of the <b>Spirit</b>; for the <b>letter kills</b>, but the <b>Spirit</b> gives <b>life</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,5,6);">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a>)</div>
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<p>We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ are <i>"<b>ministers</b> of the <b>new covenant</b>."</i> The term <i>"<b>minister</b>"</i> means <b>servant</b>. The phrase <i>"<b>new covenant</b>"</i> speaks of relating to God <b>by grace</b>. Thus, we are those who <b>serve God</b> by the <b>resources</b> of <b>His grace</b>. Our day by day lives, lived in service of the Lord God Almighty, are to be developed by the grace of God at work in us. What is involved in this biblical, heavenly approach to life here on earth?</p>
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<p>The <b>first</b> issue pertains to <b>our inadequacy</b>. <i>"<b>Not</b> that we are <b>sufficient</b> of ourselves to think of <b>anything</b> as being <b>from ourselves</b>."</i> So often we overlook our personal insufficiency or try to convince ourselves that we can become sufficient with just a little more time, effort, or preparation. This approach is in direct disagreement with the Lord. God wants us to agree with Him.</p>
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<p>Even when we begin to face our spiritual inability to produce the kind of life God is looking for, we easily underestimate the extent of our deficiency. We may think that we are just not able to produce <b>as much as</b> God desires to see in our lives. The Lord has a more radical viewpoint. He says that we are not able to supply <i>"<b>anything</b>"</i> that He wants to see. Again, God wants us to agree with Him.</p>
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<p>The <b>second</b> issue pertains to <b>God's adequacy</b>. <i>"Our sufficiency is <b>from God</b></i>.<i>"</i> The sufficient resources for living the Christian life are to be found <b>in God alone</b>. We are to be the <b>recipients</b> of God's grace, that is, His fully adequate supply. We are <b>not</b> to think we are the <b>manufacturers</b> of that grace. <b>God</b> is our <b>source</b> of <b>all</b> that is needed for <b>godly living</b>. Once more, God wants us to agree with Him.</p>
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<p>The difference between living by <b>God's</b> supply or by <b>our own</b> resources is a "<b>life</b> and <b>death</b>" matter. <i>"The letter <b>kills</b>, but the Spirit gives <b>life</b>."</i> Attempting to live the Christian life by <b>our</b> capabilities will eventually leave us exhausted, discouraged, condemned. Whereas, <b>depending</b> upon the <b>Spirit</b> of God to supply the <b>abundant grace</b> of God leaves us <b>strengthened</b>, <b>encouraged</b>, and <b>comforted</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God of all grace, I humbly admit that I have often held a perspective so different from Yours on this subject of sufficiency. I have repeatedly behaved as though the Christian life depended upon what I could do from my own resources. Lord, this has always resulted in spiritual deadness. Please teach me to trust in Your Holy Spirit to bring forth into my experience the full sufficiency of Your immeasurable grace, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0122.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0124.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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