26 lines
4.4 KiB
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26 lines
4.4 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 26</div></div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030"><h2>The Initial Grace of God</h2>
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<div class="block"><p><i>"I will <b>forgive</b> their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more"…For <b>by grace you have been saved</b> through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',31,'34-34');">Jeremiah 31:34</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,'8-9');">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>)</div>
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<p>Again, we have the opportunity to compare justifying grace and sanctifying grace, <b>initial grace</b> and <b>ongoing grace</b>. This is always an edifying and valuable exercise, since we tend to forget that we are <b>sanctified</b> through the <b>same means</b> that we are <b>justified</b>.</p>
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<p>The <b>initial grace</b> that impacted our lives forever was the <b>justifying</b>, <b>forgiving grace</b> of God. The prophets of old proclaimed this hope. The writers of the New Testament related it to us today. <i>"I will <b>forgive</b> their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',31,'34-34');">Jeremiah 31:34</a>; also in <a onClick="return mV('Hbr',8,'12-12');">Hebrews 8:12</a>). When we repented of our sins and called upon the name of the Lord, we were forgiven and justified, declared not guilty and righteous in His sight.</p>
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<p>This saving work of God on our behalf was all accomplished by the <b>grace</b> of God. <i>"For <b>by grace you have been saved</b></i>.<i>"</i> The saving grace of God is applied to lives as they <b>trust in</b> Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. <i>"By grace you have been saved <b>through faith</b>."</i></p>
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<p>None of this process <b>originates</b> in <b>man</b>. <b>All</b> of it <b>comes</b> from <b>God</b>. <i>"And that <b>not of yourselves</b>; it is the <b>gift of God</b>."</i> No aspect of salvation derives from the efforts of man, so no one will ever be able to brag about their contribution in being saved. <i>"<b>Not of works</b>, lest anyone should boast."</i> All glory, now and forever, will go to the Lord Himself. <i>"He who glories, let him <b>glory in the Lord</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr',1,'31-31');">1 Corinthians 1:31</a>).</p>
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<p>Yes, even faith does not source in man. Jesus is <i>"the <b>author</b> and finisher of our faith"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',12,'2-2');">Hebrews 12:2</a>). When we believed upon the Lord Jesus, it was in response to an authoring, revealing work that He was doing on our behalf. Jesus manifested Himself to us through the gospel as One who was able to save us sinners. The Holy Spirit was convicting us of our need. We trusted in His saving work for us. Thereby, He <b>authored</b> faith in us. <i>"<b>Worthy is the Lamb</b> who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rev',5,'12-12');">Revelation 5:12</a>).</p>
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<p>As we have seen previously (and will have opportunity to examine again and again), the <b>grace</b> of God, of which we partook for <b>new birth</b> and <b>justification</b>, is the <b>same grace</b> that must continually be at work in us for <b>growth</b> and <b>sanctification</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord God of my salvation, I clearly see the full extent to which my being saved depended upon Your saving grace! Thank You for this priceless gift of grace. How glorious it is to stand justified in Your sight. Now that I might grow daily in a life of sanctification, I look to You and Your necessary grace, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/01/0125.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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