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Christ’s Intercession & the Security of the Believer

October 04, 2017
in Uncategorized
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One of the foundational doctrines we believe is clearly spelled out in the Scriptures is the doctrine of Eternal Security. By this we mean that the Word of God teaches us that once we enter into a relationship with God through saving faith, we can never lose our salvation. To put it simply, we believe “once saved, always saved.” There are many Scriptures that teach this truth. John 10:27-28 teach us that Christ’s sheep shall “never perish”. Ephesians 4:30 reminds us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of Redemption. I. Peter 1:5 tells us that believers are “kept by the power of God.” This is only a few of many more we could cite.
In this devotion I would like to draw your attention to another aspect to our preservation as Christians which you may not have considered very much. It is an amazing thing to study a Bible doctrine. It is like holding a beautiful diamond up to the rays of the sun. Each facet of the diamond contributes something to its glory and beauty and yet it all holds together as one entity. So it is with the study of the great doctrines of the Bible. Each verse that supports the doctrine shines a unique ray of light and yet the doctrine is one and unified in its message.
One awe inspiring aspect to the doctrine of Eternal Security is the Intercessory Ministry of the risen Lord Jesus. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) This verse teaches us that we owe our security to the fact that Christ intercedes for us in heaven. The word ‘uttermost’ has the idea of something that is done ‘completely’ or ‘utterly’. Have you ever stopped to consider that as a believer you owe your preservation to His heavenly prayers? Perhaps you came close to committing an awful sin that would dishonor your Saviour but something prevented you from doing it. Perhaps it was the faithful prayers of your High Priest in heaven that surrounded you like a protective shield at that moment. Perhaps a severe trial has left you discouraged and disheartened and unsure if you would be able to go on in the Christian life and yet an unseen Power brought you through to victory. Day after day you may travel through life, not hearing his prayers with the physical ear and yet they are real and eternal, poured out of the heart of the Saviour who loves you with an everlasting love before the Father. One day we will stand complete in Christ’s presence and let us never forget that it is His prayers that will bring us to that point. Hebrews 7:25 is in the section of the Book where the author is demonstrating the reality of Christ being the better High Priest. The high priest in the Old Testament was to wear a breastplate over his heart. This breastplate had four rows of precious stones making a total of twelve. On each of these stones was engraved one of the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. There was a specific purpose in this. “And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.” (Ex. 28:29) What a beautiful type/picture this was of the intercessory ministry of Christ spoken of in Hebrews. He bears our names upon His heart before the throne of God. It is no wonder a hymn writer in the mid 1800’s took up this beautiful theme in the words:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

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