31 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
31 lines
4.3 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">May 11</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>More on Bondage versus Liberty</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>But their <b>minds</b> were <b>hardened</b>. For until this day the same <b>veil</b> remains <b>unlifted</b> in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is <b>taken away in Christ</b>. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one <b>turns</b> to the <b>Lord</b>, the <b>veil</b> is <b>taken away</b>. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the <b>Spirit</b> of the Lord is, there is <b>liberty</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',3,'14-17');">2 Corinthians 3:14-17</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>The new covenant of grace, which depends upon the Spirit of the Lord working in lives, produces <b>liberty</b>: <i>"where the <b>Spirit</b> of the Lord is, there is <b>liberty</b>."</i> The old covenant produces <b>bondage</b> in those who attempt to live under it, because it provides no resource for meeting its demands. In our last meditation, we looked at the bondage of secrecy that results from living by man's sufficiency. <b>Spiritual blindness</b> is another bondage that comes from living under the law.</p>
|
|
<p>The Israelites were blinded by a veil that resulted from hardness of heart. <i>"But their <b>minds</b> were <b>hardened</b>. For until this day the same <b>veil</b> remains <b>unlifted</b> in the reading of the Old Testament</i> [that is, the old covenant]<i>."</i> This hardness was related to self-sufficiency. John, the Baptist, held forth the righteous standards of God and called the people to repentance for their sins. <i>"And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of <b>repentance</b> for the remission of <b>sins</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk',3,3);">Luke 3:3</a>). John was aware that many held a self-sufficient reliance in their ancestry (their blood-line link with Abraham). <i>"Therefore bear fruits worthy of <b>repentance</b>, and do <b>not</b> begin to say to yourselves, '<b>We</b> have <b>Abraham</b> as our <b>father</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk',3,8);">Luke 3:8</a>). Jesus also encountered this same hardness of heart as He preached. <i>"<b>We</b> are <b>Abraham's</b> descendants, and have <b>never</b> been in <b>bondage</b> to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made <b>free</b>'?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,33);">John 8:33</a>). Like the self-righteous Pharisee, these people thought they were better than others and had no need for repentance. <i>"He spoke this parable to some who <b>trusted</b> in <b>themselves</b> that they were <b>righteous</b>…the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk',18,9);">Luke 18:9</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Luk',18,11);">11</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Many people today rely upon their religious heritage to give them an acceptable standing with the Lord. Such hardness of heart leaves them blind. They cannot see as God sees. God tells them of their need, but they will not reach out to Him for help. How tragic this is, because He alone is able to remove their blindness. <i>"When one <b>turns</b> to the <b>Lord</b>,the <b>veil</b> is <b>taken away in Christ</b>."</i></p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O righteous Lord, I repent of the self-righteousness in my
|
|
life. I want my heart to be soft before You. I do not want to
|
|
stagger around in a veil of blindness. Lord Jesus, I humbly
|
|
turn to You, in Your holy name, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0510.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0512.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>
|