“…It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34 KJV
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26 KJV
Have I taken into account that Christ intercedes on my behalf? Do I take into account that the Holy Spirit interceded on my behalf when I had no idea how to pray? They do this when we belong to Jesus Christ, when we begin to get off track, or need His supernatural help. This is a comfort to me (A strengthening, or fortifying knowledge), giving me the strength to bear up, even when I fail. The second I sin, Jesus intercedes on my behalf. And when I have no idea how to pray, the Spirit of God prays for me in heavenly languages.
Have I asked to be like Christ? Then why do I bear bitterness and anger when I see other Christians act less like Christ? Do I also express judgement when I see a non-Christian sin? Do I go to God and say, as the Pharisee did: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” Luke 18:11 Do I count that person’s sin as a justification to show others just how righteous I am? When I see that someone who has confessed Jesus Christ stumble, do I cluck my tongue at them, shake my head, and decide that person is not really saved?
Have I judged other Christians for condemning me when I was in the throes of sin? I have done this and worse. But I have prayed to be like Christ. And God will have nothing less than that from me, as I am His child, and He intends to remake me into the image of Christ.
The heart of Christ is to intercede on our behalf, continually, before God. To this day, Jesus is confessing me before God as I am confessing Him before men. The Spirit of God, in His mercy and grace, reminds me that I have asked to be transformed into the image of Christ. He shows me how I look when I stand in the place of Jesus and judge others for their shortcomings. This type of pernicious meanness has no place in the Kingdom of God, and no place in the hearts of those who will genuinely follow Christ.
I will submit my heart to intercede on behalf of the very people I judged. I will confess to the Lord that I have attempted to do His job FOR Him. And I will pray ardently for the saved and the unsaved.
This is, after all, what my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is doing for me.
Let us take up our crosses and follow Him.
I love you,
Let’s be about it.
sammy.snardfarkle@gmail.com
David G. Perkins 