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">March 18</div></div>
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<h2>The Resurrection Related to Justification and Sanctification</h2>
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<div class="block"><i><b>"I am</b> the <b>resurrection</b> and the <b>life</b>. He who <b>believes</b> in <b>Me</b>, though he may die, he shall <b>live</b>. And whoever lives and <b>believes</b> in <b>Me</b> shall <b>never</b> die."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',11,25,26);">John 11:25-26</a>)</div>
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<p>It would be appropriate to again follow a pattern we have used previously, applying our present subject (the <b>resurrection</b>) both to our <b>starting out with God</b> (justification) and our <b>going on with God</b> (sanctification). The great value in doing such is to be repeatedly reminded that the <b>grace</b> of God that <b>starts</b> us out in this new life in Christ is the <b>same grace</b> that <b>develops</b> this life in Christ.</p>
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<p>When Jesus proclaimed the words of our present verses, He was standing at the tomb of Lazarus. Martha, one of the sisters, was interacting with Him. She had hoped that Jesus would have arrived earlier, knowing He could have prevented this death. <i>"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',11,21);">John 11:21</a>). Even now, with her brother in the tomb, she realizes He could yet intervene. <i>"But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',11,22);">verse 22</a>). Jesus comforts her by assuring that Lazarus will be resurrected. <i>"Your brother will rise again"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',11,23);">verse 23</a>). Martha assumes that Jesus is referring to the final resurrection of the saints. <i>"I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',11,24);">verse 24</a>).</p>
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<p>At this point, Jesus offers one of those glorious <i>"<b>I am</b>"</i> revelations. <i>"<b>I am</b> the <b>resurrection</b> and the <b>life</b>."</i> Then, He added two wonderful applications. First, faith in Him can even bring the dead to life, like Lazarus. <i>"He who <b>believes</b> in <b>Me</b>, though he may die, he shall <b>live</b>."</i> Second, faith in Him can ensure eternal life to those who are yet alive. <i>"And whoever lives and <b>believes</b> in <b>Me</b> shall <b>never</b> die."</i></p>
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<p>Think again of the implications connected with Jesus' basic statement. <i>"<b>I am</b> the <b>resurrection</b> and the <b>life</b>."</i> Martha desired an immediate <b>resurrection</b> for her brother. She wanted him to <b>live</b> once again. Jesus revealed that He Himself was what Martha desired for her brother. <b>He</b> was <i>"the <b>resurrection</b> and the <b>life</b>."</i> Jesus provides resurrection and life, because in His very person He is resurrection life. He is the resurrection that we all need from our deadness, whether physical or spiritual. <i>"<b>I am</b> the <b>resurrection</b>."</i> He is the life that we need, if we are to live as God intended. <i>"<b>I am</b>…the <b>life</b>."</i> Knowing Christ by faith makes us partakers of what He Himself is: <i>"the <b>resurrection</b> and the <b>life</b>."</i> This is vital to see, because the <b>Christian life</b> is a <b>resurrection life</b>. Such a life can <b>only</b> be <b>found in</b> a <b>resurrected Lord</b>, and it can <b>only</b> be <b>developed following</b> a <b>resurrected Lord</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Jesus, I bow down before You as my resurrected Lord. Apart from You, I would only know spiritual deadness as a fallen son of Adam. In You I have a spiritual resurrection to new life. Now I want to pursue You daily to see that new, resurrected life more fully developed in me. Lord Jesus, lead me, I pray, into more life, Amen.</div></div></div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/03/0317.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/03/0319.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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