When there’s no one to stick up for us during a workplace hassle, it’s discouraging.
When there’s no kid who will stand with us when the playground bully comes around, it’s discouraging.
When there’s no friend or relative to sit with us in the oncologist’s office, it’s discouraging.
I’m SO grateful that we don’t have to be alone when it comes to our greatest threat — the eternal status of our souls.
The fact is that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
The companion fact is that our sin has earned us the wages of eternal separation from God in the place called hell. (Romans 6:23)
The encouraging fact, however — the redeeming fact — is that we CAN have someone stand with us when this greatest threat looms large.
Actually, He sits rather than stands.
“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” (Romans 8:34)
I don’t need anybody to remind me that I’d be toast without Jesus interceding for me with Jehovah God.
I’m quite aware of my sinful nature and periodic failures.
Of course, God is, too.
God didn’t want me to become an eternal shish-ka-bob and that’s why He sent Jesus.
It’s amazing to think about the fact that when we’ve sinned, Jesus has pleaded our case before the Father. If the books of Job and Zechariah have any application to our lives, it’s entirely possible that Satan also pleaded before God about us, but in a condemning way.
Despite our failures, God continues wanting us to spend forever with Him and that’s why Jesus has the task of interceding for believers like us who need Him to say something like this, “Abba Father, ____________ has confessed faith in Me and is covered in my blood. He/she is one of ours. Please send blessing and wisdom through Your Holy Spirit to help ______________ learn to love and serve you more.”
Please make sure that you have a confessed, personal, saving faith in Jesus Christ. Please make sure that you’ve been covered by His blood in baptism.
For Jesus said this in Matthew 10:32: “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
Stand with Jesus, my friend. Even if it means seemingly standing alone at work or school or at home.
That way, you’ll have the greatest Friend of all standing up for you in heaven from His seat next to the Father.
As always, I love you
Martin
