[1]ATLANTA (BP)–There is no truth that can give you any more courage and boldness as you live out your Christian life, especially in the workplace, than that found in Romans 8:34, “… Christ died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us…”
Christ, the Lord of the universe, is now 1) at the right hand of God and 2) making intercession to the Father on our behalf.
He intercedes; he pleads our case to the Father. He always does this according to the will of God and is always heard. When Jesus intercedes for us, the Father always hears him; the Father always responds immediately to bring to pass what the Son has requested. He is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). The apostle John assures us that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous….”
He intercedes before the Father when we sin. He asks the Father to release into our life all that the Father has provided, especially the Holy Spirit (John 14:16).
When you come to the Father, in Jesus’ name, and ask for boldness, or courage, or wisdom, or patience, or anything else that is appropriate to ask in his name, Jesus is there before the Father to confirm that you are his disciple, that you are indeed a child of God, and that your request is right and good and the Father can grant it. The Father always hears the Son (John 11:41-42).
What incredible encouragement this brings to the Christian who walks by faith (that is, believing what Jesus says, and acts on it).
[2]Jesus’ intercession can dramatically affect your personal life and walk with God. He can and will keep you from sin. He can affect your marriage for good. He can return wayward children. And he can give power in witness on your job.
In the days of his flesh, Jesus clearly and dramatically interceded before the Father on behalf of his disciples at a very significant moment, and in a very dramatic way. Just before the cross, when his disciples were about to experience their greatest pressure from the enemy, Jesus assured them, “… And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren….” (Luke 22:31, 32).
Jesus does this directly for you also. Call on him, and he will intercede for you.
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Blackaby is president of Henry Blackaby Ministries, on the Web at www.henryblackaby.com. His column appears monthly.