24 lines
3.9 KiB
HTML
24 lines
3.9 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">April 29</div></div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>Living Letters of Christ</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>You are manifestly <b>an epistle of Christ</b>, ministered by us, written <b>not</b> with <b>ink</b> but <b>by</b> the <b>Spirit</b> of the living God, <b>not</b> on tablets of <b>stone</b> but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the <b>heart</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,3);">2 Corinthians 3:3</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>Another significant <b>characteristic</b> resulting from living by <b>grace</b> is that we become <b>living letters of Christ</b>. <i>"You are manifestly <b>an epistle of Christ</b>."</i> The Lord wants to turn our lives into a "walking and talking letter of Him." He wants to make us a <b>living explanation</b> of who Christ is and all that He offers. What a great opportunity this presents. As we go about our daily responsibilities, others are often "reading our lives." While they are observing us, they can actually be learning of the truth and love of our Lord Jesus, as He is working in and through our lives. Although this may sound like too much to hope for, the Lord declares in His word that this process can become very clear to those who are watching us: <i>"You are <b>manifestly</b></i> [that is, "plainly recognized as"] <i>an epistle of Christ."</i></p>
|
|
<p>Remember, this is what is available for <i>"ministers</i> [servants] <i>of the new covenant"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,6);">2 Corinthians 3:6</a>). This is what happens in those who live by the grace of God. This is something that <b>God</b> does in us, <b>not</b> something <b>we</b> manufacture for Him. Certainly, people are involved in the process. We become <b>fully engaged</b> by <b>humbly</b> and <b>dependently seeking after</b> the <b>Lord</b> who wants to work in us. Others also get involved by ministering to us. <i>"You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, <b>ministered by us</b>."</i> Paul had ministered God's truth to these saints at Corinth. Yet, these living letters of Christ were not being written by ink, as ordinary letters would be. <i>"You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written <b>not with ink</b> but <b>by the Spirit of the living God</b>."</i> God's Holy Spirit was at work writing the letters that their lives were becoming.</p>
|
|
<p>Notice where the Lord was inscribing these living letters: <i>"<b>not</b> on tablets of <b>stone</b> but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the <b>heart</b>."</i> The old covenant message of <b>law</b> was written on <b>stones</b>. The new covenant message of <b>grace</b> is written on the <b>hearts</b> of all who walk in humble dependence upon God. This heavenly work changes us from the inside out, making us <b>living letters of Christ</b>!</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear God of all grace, I humbly admit that I need to be more and more changed into a living letter of Christ. So often, those who read me see only me. I ask You in faith to inscribe the character of Christ upon my heart, that others may see Him in my daily walk, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/04/0428.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/04/0430.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
|