Daily Devotions with Greg Laurieنموونە

Our Intercessor

What a comfort it is to know that Christ intercedes for us in heaven. Why is that important? Because the devil will come and whisper in our ear, "Why don't you go ahead and sin? No one will ever know. I won't tell if you won't." So we take the bait and do the wrong thing.

Then the devil comes right back to us and says, "You miserable hypocrite! Do you think you are worthy to approach God? Do you think God will hear your prayers?" He comes with the temptation, and when we take the bait, he comes with the accusations.

Think of it as a courtroom with Jesus as our defense attorney and the devil as the prosecutor. The Bible says the devil accuses us before God, day and night (see Revelation 12:10). He basically says to God, "You know, this person is a hypocrite. She is not a good Christian. You should not hear her prayers."

So Jesus essentially says, "Yeah, I know she is messed up, but I love her and am interceding for her." That is our Intercessor, interceding before God on our behalf.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures me that He is interceding in heaven for me. Romans 8:34 says, "Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."

And Hebrews 7:25 tells us, "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."

It is not hard to be a Christian; it is impossible--without God's help. And because Jesus died and rose again, He intercedes for us before the Father.

Summary sentence: The accuser seeks to condemn; the risen Jesus seeks to intercede on your behalf.

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