42 lines
4.3 KiB
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42 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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June 2
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<h1>The Work of the Holy Spirit unto Obedience</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>"I will put <b>My Spirit</b> within you and <b>cause</b> you to <b>walk</b> in My statutes, and you <b>will keep</b> My judgments and <b>do them</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eze', 36, '27-27');">Ezekiel 36:27</a>)</div>
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<p>When we placed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we were born again. We were made new in Christ. <i>"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a <b>new creation</b>; old things have passed away; behold, <b>all</b> things have become <b>new</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 5, '17-17');">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>). We received a new spiritual heart, as promised of old. <i>"I will give you a <b>new heart</b> and put a <b>new spirit</b> within you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eze', 36, '26-26');">Ezekiel 36:26</a>).</p>
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<p>Now, how does a new creature in Christ grow in a life of obedience? Our natural thinking might assume that a Christian could grow in obedience by simply doing his best to walk in the will of God. The next verse in Ezekiel's prophecy reveals that God has a better plan in mind. <i>"I will put <b>My Spirit</b> within you and <b>cause</b> you to <b>walk</b> in My statutes."</i> The born again follower of Jesus is <b>not</b> designed to operate on his <b>own</b> best efforts. The <b>Holy Spirit</b> is to be the <b>heavenly dynamic</b> in developing a life of <b>obedience</b>.</p>
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<p>A disobedient life would include attitudes and actions that our fallen physical bodies naturally crave. These are to be taken to the cross, to be rendered as crucified with Christ. <i>"Therefore put to <b>death</b> your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of <b>disobedience</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col', 3, '5-6');">Colossians 3:5-6</a>). The Holy Spirit wants to enable us to respond properly concerning such carnal desires. <i>"If <b>by the Spirit</b> you put to <b>death</b> the <b>deeds</b> of the <b>body</b>, you will <b>live</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 8, '13-13');">Romans 8:13</a>). These fallen, natural cravings are described as the <i>"lusts of the flesh"</i> in Galatians. They are overcome as we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. <i>"<b>Walk</b> in the <b>Spirit</b>, and you shall <b>not fulfill</b> the <b>lust</b> of the <b>flesh</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 5, '16-16');">Galatians 5:16</a>).</p>
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<p>Again, this work of the Holy Spirit is not automatic or "robotic." Rather, it is a <b>relational</b> matter. It is realized in our lives through <b>humble dependence</b>. It is possible to suppress the work of the Holy Spirit in us. <i>"Do not quench the Spirit"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Th', 5, '19-19');">1 Thessalonians 5:19</a>). It is when we depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead us in the path of obedience that we will truly live as obedient children of God. <i>"For as many as are <b>led by</b> the <b>Spirit of God</b>, these are sons of God"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 8, '14-14');">Romans 8:14</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God of my salvation, I desire to walk in obedience to
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You. I confess that I often rely upon my own resources,
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attempting to produce obedience. Lord, please work deep in my
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heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit and lead me in paths of
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righteousness, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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