37 lines
4.6 KiB
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37 lines
4.6 KiB
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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
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Bob Hoekstra
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October 9
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<h1>Growing in Grace through Living by Faith</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>Behold the <b>proud</b>, his <b>soul</b> is <b>not upright</b> in him; <b>But</b> the <b>just</b> shall <b>live by</b> his <b>faith</b>…For I am not ashamed of the <b>gospel</b> of <b>Christ</b>, for it is the <b>power</b> of <b>God</b> to <b>salvation</b> for everyone who <b>believes</b>, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the <b>righteousness</b> of <b>God</b> is <b>revealed</b> from <b>faith</b> to <b>faith</b>; as it is written, "The <b>just</b> shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hab', 2, '4-4');">Habakkuk 2:4</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Rom', 1, '16-17');">Romans 1:16-17</a>)</div>
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<p>In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "<b>humility</b> and grace" and began to consider "<b>faith</b> and grace." If we want to <b>grow in the grace of God</b>, we must <b>live by faith</b>, since <b>faith accesses grace</b>. <i>"We have <b>access by faith</b> into this <b>grace</b> in which we stand"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 5, '2-2');">Romans 5:2</a>).</p>
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<p>Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about <b>humility</b>, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. <i>"God resists the <b>proud</b>, but gives <b>grace</b> to the <b>humble</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jam', 4, '6-6');">James 4:6</a>). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. <i>"Behold the <b>proud</b>, his <b>soul</b> is <b>not upright</b> in him."</i> James contrasted pride with <b>humility</b>. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with <b>faith</b>. The <b>proud</b> person is <b>depending</b> upon <b>himself</b>. The <b>humble</b> person is willing to <b>depend</b> upon the <b>Lord</b>. The <b>humble</b> person is the one who will be <b>growing</b> in the <b>grace</b> of <b>God</b>.</p>
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<p>This simple proclamation of <b>living by faith</b> is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. <i>"For I am not ashamed of the <b>gospel</b> of <b>Christ</b>, for it is the <b>power</b> of <b>God</b> to <b>salvation</b> for everyone who <b>believes</b>, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."</i> Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. <i>"For in it the <b>righteousness</b> of <b>God</b> is <b>revealed</b> from <b>faith</b> to <b>faith</b>."</i> The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided. <i>"But now the <b>righteousness</b> of God <b>apart from</b> the <b>law</b> is <b>revealed</b>, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, <b>even</b> the <b>righteousness</b> of <b>God</b> which is <b>through faith</b> in Jesus Christ to all and on all who <b>believe</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 3, '21-22');">Romans 3:21-22</a>). The <b>righteousness</b> that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by <b>grace</b> through <b>faith</b>. Yes, initially and continually, <i>"The <b>just</b> shall <b>live by faith</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.</div>
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