Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Ephesians 2:13 ff In Christ Jesus we who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He Himself is our peace . . . through Him we . . . have access by the Spirit to the Father.
AS JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY
Because of what Jesus suffered in the garden, on the cross, and in between, the relationship between God and us is radically changed. Because of his Son's substitutionary life and death, God's verdict is changed. That's the Good News. The Gospel. God has declared sinners "Not Guilty" for Jesus' sake. Believe it -- and live.
And by the grace of God we do believe and we are changed -- in heart and life, in thinking and living. Now, as believers, we think like sons, like Jesus. We pray as He prayed: "Abba" . . . "Father" . . . "Daddy."
We come to the holy, almighty God, praying as our Lord taught us to: With child-like trust, confident in our heavenly Father's love, confident He will hear and help, knowing His will could never do us harm.
So we call to God like a little child calling to his father in a crowd. There is a clamor of voices all about us, some of them shushing us, even loudly telling us to be quiet. The Law scolds. Our sins scream. Death thunders ominously. The Devil roars his disapproval. But our Father has promised to hear us for Jesus' sake. He will come through the crowd, hold us close, bend down His ear.
