26 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
26 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 3</div></div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>Access to Grace</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i><b>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ </b>be with you all…For you know <b>the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ</b>…And <b>God is able</b> to make <b>all grace abound</b> toward you.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rev',22,21);">Revelation 22:21</a>; <a onClick="return mV('2Cr',8,9);">2 Corinthians 8:9</a>; and <a onClick="return mV('2Cr',9,8);">9:8</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>We have seen that <b>abundant grace</b> is available from the Lord, <b>not</b> only for <b>justification</b>, but <b>also</b> for <b>sanctification</b>. Yet, how does a person <b>access</b> the <b>sanctifying grace</b> of God? How does one actually <b>live day by day by grace</b>? Soon, we will consider the two relational realities that God wants to develop in our lives so we might live daily by His grace. First, let's reflect upon <b>where</b> that grace is found and the <b>ability</b> upon which it all depends.</p>
|
|
<p>The grace we need is always found in a <b>person</b>, not a procedure. <i>"For you know <b>the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ</b>."</i> Consequently, in order to access this grace, we <b>must seek after</b> the person in whom the grace resides. No wonder that many of the letters of the New Testament end with <i>"<b>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ</b> be with you all."</i></p>
|
|
<p>Our God does not waste words. He does not speak vainly. Nor does He stand on human formalities. These <b>repetitious</b> conclusions signify an <b>emphasis</b> from the <b>heart</b> of <b>God</b>. When the Scriptures conclude any subject to any people, the ongoing need will ever be that they learn to <b>live</b> by the <b>grace</b> that is <b>found in Jesus Christ</b>.</p>
|
|
<p>Furthermore, upon <b>whose ability</b> does the Christian life depend? We so easily become preoccupied with <b>our</b> ability. "Will <b>I be able</b> to please and serve God?" "Will <b>I be able</b> to be an effective witness?" The focus of the word of God is on <b>His</b> ability, not ours. <i>"Our <b>God</b> whom we serve <b>is able</b> to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan',3,17);">Daniel 3:17</a>). <i>"Therefore <b>He is also able</b> to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',7,25);">Hebrews 7:25</a>). <i>"Now to <b>Him who is able</b> to keep you from stumbling"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jud',1,24);">Jude v. 24</a>). <i>"Now to <b>Him who is able</b> to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',3,20);">Ephesians 3:20</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Concerning drawing upon God's grace, we may be thinking: "Will <b>I be able</b> to live by God's grace?" Again, <b>God's</b> ability is the issue, not ours. <i>"And <b>God is able</b> to make <b>all grace abound</b> toward you."</i> If we are <b>willing</b> to <b>rely</b> upon the <b>One</b> who is <b>able</b> (our Lord), we will experience abundantly His sanctifying grace in our lives.</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord, teach me these great matters of accessing Your grace. Remind me often that grace is found in Jesus. I confess my tendency to explain the Christian life by a formula, instead of by a person. Help me to remember that living by grace depends upon Your matchless ability. I admit my inclination to hope in my inept ability. So, Lord, I now look to You to abundantly pour out Your grace upon my life, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0202.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0204.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
|