25 lines
4.6 KiB
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25 lines
4.6 KiB
HTML
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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">March 17</div></div>
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<h2>Resurrection Victory for Effective Christian Living</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>But thanks be to God, who gives us the <b>victory</b> through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be <b>steadfast</b>, <b>immovable</b>, always <b>abounding</b> in the work of the Lord, knowing that your <b>labor</b> is <b>not</b> in <b>vain</b> in the Lord.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr',15,57,58);">1 Corinthians 15:57-58</a>)</div>
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<p>The <b>resurrection</b> of Jesus Christ brings <b>spiritual victory</b> over sin and death to all who believe in Him. <i>"But thanks be to God, who gives us the <b>victory</b> through our Lord Jesus Christ."</i> As we allow the Lord to be our guide through each day, He <i>"<b>leads</b> us in <b>triumph</b> in Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',2,14);">2 Corinthians 2:14</a>). When this process is unfolding, an effective Christian life is developing, by the grace of God at work in us.</p>
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<p><i>"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be <b>steadfast</b>."</i> It is the will of God that our lives be marked by steadfastness (constancy and stability). Paul rejoiced concerning fellow believers who manifested such attributes: <i>"rejoicing to see your good order and the <b>steadfastness</b> of your faith in Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',2,5);">Colossians 2:5</a>). He later added that they were to be <i>"rooted and built up in Him and <b>established</b> in the faith"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',2,7);">verse 7</a>).</p>
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<p><i>"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be… <b>immovable</b>."</i> Our heavenly Father also wants us to be <i>"<b>immovable</b>"</i> (firmly persistent, unable to be swayed). Paul was a good example of this. Although he faced many threatening difficulties, he professed: <i>"But <b>none</b> of these things <b>move</b> me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act',20,24);">Acts 20:24</a>). When Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus, he warned of another threat to spiritual persistency: <i>"that we should <b>no</b> longer be <b>children</b>, <b>tossed to and fro</b> and <b>carried about</b> with <b>every wind of doctrine</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',4,14);">Ephesians 4:14</a>).</p>
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<p><i>"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be…always <b>abounding</b> in the <b>work</b> of the <b>Lord</b>."</i> Our Lord wants us to be abundantly laboring with Him. This is one of of the purposes of Jesus' redemptive work for us: <i>"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, <b>zealous for good works</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Tts',2,14);">Titus 2:14</a>). Yes, <b>living</b> by <b>grace</b> will produce abounding <b>good works</b>. The glorious fact is that such labors are actually the Lord at work in and through us: <i>"always abounding in the <b>work of the Lord</b>."</i> As the Lord sustains His work within us, we can grow in a <b>certainty</b> that this kind of laboring will be effective: <i>"<b>knowing</b> that your <b>labor</b> is <b>not</b> in vain <b>in the Lord</b>."</i></p>
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<p>Note the <b>key</b> word that indicates the <b>basis</b> for all of these desirable traits: <i>"<b>Therefore</b>."</i> This refers back to the <b>resurrection</b> victory provided by the Lord Jesus. In light of this victorious work of Christ on our behalf, anyone trusting in this reality will find these spiritual virtues developing in their lives, by the grace of God at work.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord, I long to walk in spiritual stability. I yearn for a life that cannot be swayed. I want to abundantly labor with You. Therefore, Lord, I place my confidence in the reality of Your resurrection victory. Work in me by Your grace, I pray, Amen.</div></div></div>
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