“Now Appearing”

(a repeat from 2009)

"Now Appearing"

   

     

   "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).

    The writer of Hebrews provides one of the most thrilling truths in the Bible by proclaiming that the Lord Jesus Christ now appears before His Father for our benefit. The Apostles Paul confirms this intercessory office of Christ's priesthood that eternally maintains our standing and relationship with God.

   "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5).

     Just as we could not birth ourselves spiritually to originate our relationship with God, neither do our own actions or merits maintain our place in His family. The Apostle Peter wrote that we "kept by the power of God," a truth confirmed by numerous Scriptural declarations regarding a salvation originated, continued, and completed by "the author and finisher of our faith" (I Peter 1:5; Hebrews 12:2).   For the born again believer in the Lord Jesus, the consideration of such grace  motivates us to respond in far greater love, faith, obedience, and consecration to God and others. Love begets love.  Thus, our Lord's perfect faithfulness to us stokes the hearth of devotion to God in us.  "We love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19).  Yes, now appearing in the presence of God for us, the Lord Jesus bears our person and name in His heart, and on His hands and feet.  Let us appear also to give thanks, rejoice, and then go forth spiritually invigorated to declare with the Psalmist, "I will love Thee, o Lord my strength!" (Psalm 18:1).

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith."

(Hebrews 10:19-22)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Therefore as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

(Romans 5:18)