Rhapsody of Realities
PASTOR ANITA
SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH
HE STRENGTHENS YOUR FAITH
...And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: And he is the
propitiation for our sins: and not for
ours only, but also for the sins of the
whole world
1 John 2:1-2
Some Christians, out of ignorance, say
that since Jesus went to heaven, He's
been begging the Father on our behalf
to have mercy on us because of our
sins. Such Christians completely
misunderstand our opening scripture.
Jesus isn't in heaven trying to defend
you from the Father's wrath, for the
Father Himself loves you (John 16:27).
On the contrary, Jesus is there to
present you holy and blameless before
the Father, and to strengthen your
faith during times of trials (Colossians
1:22).
The intercessory ministry of Jesus on
our behalf as Christians isn't
necessarily against the Father's wrath.
He intercedes for you to be
strengthened when you're going
through difficulties in your life. He
doesn't want your faith to falter; so
that no matter the opposition you face
in this world you'll come out
victoriously. He's on your side;
therefore, it's impossible for you to be
defeated or disadvantaged!
The Book of Hebrews describes Him as
our great High Priest before the Father
(Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14; 8:1; 9:11),
not our Mediator. He is the Mediator
between God and sinners; not
between God and the Church. 1
Timothy 2:5-6 says, "For there is one
God and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus; who
gave himself a ransom, for all to be
testified in due time." He's man's
Kinsman-redeemer, Mediator and
Umpire.
However, for us who have been born
again, we've been brought into the
Kingdom and made to sit with Him at
the right hand of the Father. Therefore,
we don't need Him to mediate
between us and the Father any more.
We're born to live right in the Father's
presence. This is why it would be
wrong and ineffective for a Christian to
pray to the Father through Jesus
Christ. Rather, you pray in His Name.
Praying through Him is making Him a
medium to reach the Father, and for
the Christian, Jesus is not a medium;
He's the High Priest of our confessions.
Glory to God!
PRAYER
Precious Father, I thank you for your
grace, mercy and love by which I live a
life of glory. I'm strengthened
continually in my faith-walk, being fully
assured of your eternal indwelling and
abiding presence, through the Holy
Spirit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 4:14-16
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible Reading Plan
Luke 13:22-35
Judges 14-16
2 Year Bible Reading Plan
Romans 10:1-10
Psalm 119:41-64
Good Morning and Glorious Sunday to
You all!