Wednesday: Our Intercessor
Though sin had brought a fearful separation between God and humanity, through Christ’s sacrificial death we as human beings are brought to God and can continue to have access to Him. See Eph. 2:18, 1 Pet. 3:18.
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“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:19-20). According to these verses, what has Jesus done for us?
Read Hebrews 9:24. What does this text say that Christ’s work includes?
Jesus is the forerunner, having entered as our Representative into the heavenly sanctuary, even into the very presence of God for us . That is, Jesus is standing before the Father, ministering the merits of His atonement, the “eternal redemption” that He “obtained” in our behalf.
Yes, when we accepted Jesus our sins were forgiven, and we stood before God pardoned and cleansed. But the fact remains that even after we have become Christians, we at times still sin, despite all the wonderful promises of victory. In such cases, Jesus intercedes as our High Priest in heaven. He represents the repenting sinner, not pleading our merits (for we have none) but pleading His own in our behalf before the Father. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25, NKJV).
| What born-again Christian does not sense his or her own need of Christ’s continuing mercy and grace? That is, despite the new life we have in Jesus, despite the wonderful changes in our existence, who doesn’t realize his or her own constant need of pardon and forgiveness? Why, then, is the knowledge of Christ as our High Priest so precious to us? |
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His birth, life, death and resurrection completed the atonement
However eradicating sin on this earth has not been completed.
The intercessory work of Christ will continue until
Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Once the people on the earth have been given a chance to accept or reject Christ. The intercessory work of Christ will come to an end.
Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
I wish to submit that the gospel will go to the world through God's Converted children. These children of God will have allowed the full vesture of God's Character to be the motivation of every action so that the world will see the fullness of the Character of God through them.
Of course, this is God's work with our full permission. We must not be discouraged. He wil finish this work of building His Character in us if we allow it.
I think we sometimes forget that We need to allow God to work in EVERY issue and venue of our lives. This requires constant watching and prayer lest we miss an opportunity to allow God's work in any particular issue.
It seems to me that the very first way God works with us is in our appearance. The face is first. Then the rest of the body changes with the change of our clothing, jewelry, make-up etc. Our life style changes to be simple humble and healthful like Jesus. The way we do business is affected profoundly when selfishness is no longer our motivation. Our choice of education will even take on a Christlike movement. Relationships will be based on true AGAPE Love. We will truly love all people--including spouses that we once "fell out of love" with. Everything in our life will be motivated by God's Love.
According to EGW we can never equal the pattern of Jesus' Character. So God will finish his work no matter what. And his character will be reflected by his people in that he will make up for His people's deficiencies of that character with his own divine merits. God did this in the past and he will do it again. And sin will be eradicated from this earth when he comes again the third time after the millenium when he will recreate this earth again and cleanses it with fire.
You are right, Pete, when we try it on our own, we cannot have the Character of Christ; but I can do all things through the strength of Christ. The Bible says so.
We deserve nothing but death. But the love of Christ have rescued us! Jesus has loved us first... He has done everything He can so we recognize His love for us... How can we doubt of Him? He is awesome and also God! He is the owner of all universe.
Gm my beloved brothers and sisters. In light of Douglas' question yesterday I believe today's lesson answers it beautifully. For further study n a better understanding pls read "Facing Life's Record" in the Great Controversy by E.G.White paying special attention to pages 484-488 thank u my bro I read the chapter and ur ? lead me to pay more attention.
When I accepted Jesus as my Savior He atoned for my past sins, my present sin and those I will commit in the future. I do not lose my salvation every time I sin. That is the security that we believers have in eternal redemption. I must never take the cost for my redemption lightly. Jesus suffered the worst possible punishment for my sins. My life is not my own. I have been bought with His blood. May I give my life to His service and humbly repent when I am wrong. Thank you God for the gift of salvation.
Cayla, the Bible states that the condition of forgiveness is repentance. Sins of the future cannot be forgiven until they are confessed and repented of.
I only mention this due to the prevalence of a teaching that is gaining popularity in some places that we are forgiven before we repent, and thus the need for repentance is no longer important, which is not true. The Bible states the requirements of the gospel clearly, which all must meet.
We should always keep in mind that Eden and eternal life was lost by one sin, and that sin can separate us from Christ and thus from salvation. Any sin can prevent our salvation if we harbor it without confessing and forsaking it. This is how faith works, we do as we are taught to do when Jesus says "go and sin no more". (For those who will bring it up, this is not about "perfection", but about faith and it's obedience as God leads us through the conviction of the Holy Spirit daily. Without advancement by growing in grace, we will be found in unbelief.) All the promises of Christ to His people are for "him that overcomes". We can only advance by constant faith and indwelling of the Spirit, which one cherished sin will prevent.
This is "the hour of His judgment", and from the type we learn how we are to live in it(Lev 16). Faith is revealed by obedience.
My assessment of todays lesson, right on.
Jesus does not excuse our sins, but shows our sarrow and remorse(repentence)(penitent) and faith, and, claiming for us forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of My hands. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”Psalm 51:17. And to the accuser of His people He declares: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Zechariah 3:2. Christ will clothe His faithful ones with His own righteousness, that He may present them to His Father “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Ephesians 5:27.Their names stand enrolled in the book of life, and concerning them it is written: “They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4. We have a opertunity to share this good news.
I do believe Cayla is talking about the sin she forgot. Or perhaps the sin she couldn't repent of because an Isreal bomb just wiped out her and her household to put it in now times. You have to give her credit. "May I give my life to His service and humbly repent when I am wrong." Yes we must not get cought up in believing that repentence is not important.
Let us value invaluable work that Jesus is doing for us. On and on we continue to value it people will repent and Jesus will come back soon to take his forever and then enjoy the fruits of his merciful and invaluable work he's been doing for us for a long time in Heavenly Sanctuary.Amen