29 lines
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29 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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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">May 7</div>
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<h2>Ministry of Condemnation versus Ministry of Righteousness</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>For if the <b>ministry of condemnation</b> had glory, the <b>ministry of righteousness</b> exceeds much more in glory.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,9);">2 Corinthians 3:9</a>)</div>
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<p>Here is another vivid contrast between living by the old covenant of law versus living by the new covenant of grace. God's holy law is a <i>"<b>ministry of condemnation</b>,"</i> which exposes the bankruptcy of man's resources. God's glorious grace is a <i>"<b>ministry of righteousness</b>,"</i> which offers the richness of God's resources.</p>
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<p>When we try to live by the law, we walk in condemnation. When we try to minister by the law, we put others under condemnation. This is inevitable, since the law is a <i>"<b>ministry of condemnation</b>."</i> Living and ministering by the law depends upon human performance. The law demands righteous living. <i>"You shall be <b>holy</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Lev',19,2);">Leviticus 19:2</a>). The only resources available for law-performance are natural human abilities (the flesh). All natural abilities are flawed by unrighteousness. <i>"We are <b>all</b> like an <b>unclean</b> thing, and <b>all</b> our <b>righteousnesses</b> are like <b>filthy rags</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa',64,6);">Isaiah 64:6</a>). This makes the flesh incapable of producing a righteous life. <i>"It is the Spirit who gives life; the <b>flesh</b> profits <b>nothing</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',6,63);">John 6:63</a>). Consequently, when we try to live by law (that is, attempt to meet God's standards by our resources), we sense condemnation. When we minister the law to others as a means of developing a godly life, they also experience condemnation.</p>
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<p>On the other hand, when we live by grace, we grow in righteousness. When we minister the message of grace to others, they can grow in righteousness. Godliness results from ministering the new covenant of grace, because it is a <i>"<b>ministry of righteousness</b>."</i> The message of grace tells people that righteousness is available by faith. <i>"But now the <b>righteousness</b> of God <b>apart from</b> the law is revealed…even the <b>righteousness</b> of God which is through <b>faith</b> in <b>Jesus Christ</b> to all and on all who <b>believe</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',3,'21-22');">Romans 3:21-22</a>).</p>
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<p>In addition to this initial gift of righteousness (imputed, or credited to our account in heaven), grace also provides ongoing practical righteousness (imparted for our daily lives on earth): <i>"That the <b>righteous</b> requirement of the <b>law</b> might be <b>fulfilled</b> in <b>us</b> who do <b>not</b> walk according to the <b>flesh</b> but according to the <b>Spirit</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,4);">Romans 8:4</a>). As we humbly depend upon the Lord, the Holy Spirit brings forth a more Christlike life through us, by His grace.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God of righteousness, I have often walked in legalistic condemnation. Also, I have pointed many others in that direction. Forgive me, Lord. Please teach me how to walk in righteousness, through humble dependence upon You. Equip me to minister Your righteousness to others, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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