24 lines
4.6 KiB
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24 lines
4.6 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">February 8</div></div>
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<h2>More on Faith and Grace</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>The just shall <b>live by faith</b>…So then <b>faith</b> comes by <b>hearing</b>, and hearing by <b>the word of God</b>…I <b>know</b> whom I have <b>believed</b> and am <b>persuaded</b> that <b>He is able</b> to <b>keep</b> what I have <b>committed to Him</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',1,17);">Romans 1:17</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Rom',10,17);">10:17</a> and <a onClick="return mV('2Ti',1,12);">2 Timothy 1:12</a>)</div>
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<p>The entire Christian walk is designed to be lived by faith. <i>"The just shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i> In every step of every day, in every issue that we face, we are to rely upon the Lord. This path of trust <b>accesses grace</b>. <b>Faith</b> allows us to <b>receive</b> and <b>respond</b> to the <b>grace</b> that God desires to shower upon us. Remember, <b>faith</b> is what <b>corresponds</b> with <b>grace</b>. <i>"Therefore it is of <b>faith</b> that it might be according to <b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',4,16);">Romans 4:16</a>). <b>Trying</b> our <b>hardest</b> does <b>not</b> ensure God's grace working in and through us. <b>Attempting</b> to be <b>passive</b> does <b>not</b> bring forth a display of His grace. However, <b>humbly trusting</b> in the Lord, whether taking action or patiently waiting, will <b>always result</b> in His <b>grace</b> undertaking for us.</p>
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<p>Yet, how does one specifically learn to live by faith? <i>"So then <b>faith</b> comes by <b>hearing</b>, and hearing by <b>the word of God</b>."</i> As we get into the <b>Scriptures</b>, desiring to hear from the Lord, <b>faith</b> has opportunity to <b>grow</b>. Through the <b>word</b>, God speaks to us about Himself and His ways. He tells us His plans and purposes. He provides insights into reality. He drives away illusions and misconceptions. He offers promises and assurances. As we are thereby getting to know <b>who</b> the <b>Lord is</b> and <b>what He</b> wants to <b>do</b>, we are <b>stirred</b> to <b>trust</b> Him to <b>work</b> these matters <b>into</b> our <b>lives</b>. We face trials or opportunities, and we trust Him to be faithful. We learn of our own inadequacy and are driven to His sufficiency. We look to the Lord in daily personal issues, and He proves faithful. Through it all, our faith continues to grow in response to what the Lord is revealing to us and is doing for us. This is <b>God's grace</b> at <b>work</b>, because <b>His word</b> is <i>"the <b>word</b> of His <b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act',20,32);">Acts 20:32</a>).</p>
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<p>This process illustrates the <b>relational reality</b> of <b>faith</b>. Faith is <b>not</b> something we can produce. It <b>results</b> from getting to <b>know</b> the <b>Lord</b> more and more. Paul spoke of this pattern in part of his testimony. <i>"I <b>know</b> whom I have <b>believed</b> and am <b>persuaded</b> that <b>He is able</b> to <b>keep</b> what I have <b>committed to Him</b>."</i> As the years passed, Paul was getting acquainted with the Lord in whom he had first believed. Then, as this relationship with Christ developed, Paul was increasingly convinced of his Master's ability to handle any matter entrusted into His hands. All the while, Paul's <b>growing faith</b> was <b>drawing upon</b> the <b>resources</b> of <b>God's grace</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord, my God, I want to live daily by faith in You. Please work in my heart a growing appetite for Your word, that my faith may develop, as I am hearing from You. Forgive me for taking matters into my own hands and not looking to You. Show me situations that I need to entrust to You. This I humbly pray, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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