23 lines
4.7 KiB
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23 lines
4.7 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 27</div></div>
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<h2>The New Covenant of Grace: A Covenant of Relationship</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>In Him we have redemption through <b>His blood</b>, the forgiveness of sins, according to the <b>riches</b> of His <b>grace</b>…But now in Christ Jesus you who once were <b>far off</b> have been <b>brought near</b> by the <b>blood of Christ</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',1,7);">Ephesians 1:7</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,13);">2:13</a>)</div>
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<p>The <b>ultimate blessing</b> of the <b>new covenant</b> of <b>grace</b> is that it allows people to develop an <b>intimate relationship</b> with the true and living God. We began our personal history greatly separated from God: <i>"you who once were <b>far off</b>."</i> How could we ever comprehend the "vast relational distance" that our sins brought between us and the Lord? We could not relate to God. We could not talk to Him or enjoy His presence. We were <i>"without Christ…having no hope and without God in the world"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,12);">Ephesians 2:12</a>). Therefore, we were <i>"alienated from the life of God"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',4,18);">Ephesians 4:18</a>). Then, <i>"according to the <b>riches</b> of His <b>grace</b>,"</i> we found <i>"forgiveness of sins,"</i> as Jesus shed His blood unto death to pay the redemption price. <i>"In Him we have redemption through <b>His blood</b>."</i></p>
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<p>Now, the entire picture is drastically changed. <i>"<b>But now</b> in Christ Jesus you who once were <b>far off</b> have been <b>brought near</b> by the <b>blood of Christ</b>."</i> We are no longer alienated from God. <i>"Now, therefore, you are <b>no longer strangers</b> and <b>foreigners</b>, but fellow citizens with the saints and <b>members of the household of God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,19);">Ephesians 2:19</a>). We are now members of God's family. We are His beloved children. <i>"And because you are <b>sons</b>, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, '<b>Abba, Father!</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',4,6);">Galatians 4:6</a>). By the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we cry out intimately to the Lord God as our "Heavenly Papa!" <i>"You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, '<b>Abba, Father</b>.' The <b>Spirit Himself</b> bears witness with <b>our spirit</b> that we are <b>children of God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,15,16);">Romans 8:15-16</a>). As we cry out <i>"<b>Abba</b>,"</i> the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, gives us a deep internal, spiritual confirmation that we truly are God's children.</p>
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<p>Our heavenly Father wants to build a close relationship with us, His children. He wants us to know His love. <i>"The <b>love of God</b> has been <b>poured</b> out in our <b>hearts</b> by the Holy Spirit who was given to us"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',5,5);">Romans 5:5</a>). Also, God wants us to respond in love to Him. <i>" <b>We love Him</b> because He first loved us"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Jo',4,19);">1 John 4:19</a>). He wants us to call upon Him, that He might respond to us. <i>"<b>Call</b> to Me, and I will <b>answer</b> you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',33,3);">Jeremiah 33:3</a>). He wants us to empty our heart unto Him. <i>"<b>Pour out</b> your <b>heart</b> before Him"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',62,8);">Psalm 62:8</a>). By God's <b>grace</b>, the way for <b>intimacy</b> is now <b>open</b> to us.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Abba, Father, I thank You for washing away my sins. I praise You for bringing me close to You. I desire to grow in intimacy with You. Help me to see Your love more clearly, that I might respond in stronger love to You. Remind me to cry out to You consistently and to pour out my heart honestly, all by the blood of Christ, Amen.</div></div></div>
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