29 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
29 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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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">May 13</div>
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<h2>Liberty to be Transformed</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>But we all, with <b>unveiled</b> face, <b>beholding</b> as in a mirror the <b>glory</b> of the <b>Lord</b>, are <b>being transformed</b> into the <b>same</b> image from <b>glory</b> to <b>glory</b>, just as by the <b>Spirit</b> of the Lord.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,18);">2 Corinthians 3:18</a>)</div>
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<p>Living day by day under the new covenant of grace embraces the spiritually liberating work of the Holy Spirit. <i>"Where the <b>Spirit</b> of the Lord is, there is <b>liberty</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,17);">2 Corinthians 3:17</a>). When the Holy Spirit is relied upon, there is liberty to be <b>transformed</b>.</p>
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<p>This transformation process is for <b>every</b> believer who lives by the terms of the new covenant: <i>"But we <b>all</b>."</i> The terms are simple: <b>renounce self-sufficiency</b> (<i>"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves"</i>—<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,5);">2 Corinthians 3:5a</a>) and <b>rely</b> on <b>God's</b> sufficiency (<i>"but our sufficiency is from God"</i>—<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,5);">2 Corinthians 3:5b</a>). Those who reject human resources (the flesh) seek God <i>"with <b>unveiled</b> face."</i> They come humbly, without any veils of pretense or self-justification.</p>
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<p>Coming to the Lord in this manner brings an ongoing blessing: <i>"<b>beholding</b> as in a <b>mirror</b> the <b>glory</b> of the <b>Lord</b>."</i> Three mirrors reflect the glory of Christ from heavenly places into the experience of the redeemed here on earth: the creation, the church, and the Scriptures. The universe declares His glory. <i>"The <b>heavens declare</b> the <b>glory</b> of God; And the firmament shows <b>His</b> handiwork"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',19,1);">Psalm 19:1</a>). Also, the Lord can be seen living in His people. <i>"For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the <b>life of Jesus</b> also may be <b>manifested</b> in our mortal flesh"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,11);">2 Corinthians 4:11</a>). These two mirrors are helpful, but they can be distorted by sin. The mirror that reflects the Lord's glory flawlessly is His word. <i>"The law of the LORD is <b>perfect</b>…these</i> [the Scriptures] <i>are they which <b>testify</b> of <b>Me</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',19,7);">Psalm 19:7</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Jhn',5,39);">John 5:39</a>).</p>
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<p>As we humbly seek the Lord in His word, we behold His glory therein. The wonderful consequence is that we <i>"are <b>being transformed</b> into the <b>same</b> image from <b>glory</b> to <b>glory</b>."</i> From one area after another, from one degree to another, we are being changed into the likeness of the glorious Savior we are beholding. This process is carried on as only the Holy Spirit could do it: <i>"just as by the <b>Spirit</b> of the <b>Lord</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Heavenly Father, I long to be more like Your Son. Forgive me for neglect of Your word. Please draw me consistently to the Scriptures, that I might humbly behold the glory of Jesus. Thank You for the work of Your Spirit, who is able to transform me into a growing Christlikeness, Amen.</div>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0512.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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