The True Mediator

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5.
In the mediatorial work of Christ, the love of God was revealed in its perfection to men and angels.
He stands to mediate for you. He is the great High Priest who is pleading in your behalf; and you are to come and present your case to the Father through Jesus Christ. Thus you can find access to God; and though you sin, your case is not hopeless. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1.
Christ is your Redeemer; He will take no advantage of your humiliating confessions. If you have sin of a private character, confess it to Christ, who is the only mediator between God and man.
He presents us to the Father clothed in the white raiment of His own character. He pleads before God in our behalf, saying: I have taken the sinner’s place. Look not upon this wayward child, but look on Me. Does Satan plead loudly against our souls, … claiming us as his prey, the blood of Christ pleads with greater power.
The work of Christ in the sanctuary above, presenting His own blood each moment before the mercy seat, as He makes intercession for us, should have its full impression upon the heart, that we may realize the worth of each moment. Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for us; but one moment carelessly spent can never be recovered.
Think of Jesus. He is in His holy place, not in a state of solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand of heavenly angels who wait to do His bidding. And He bids them go and work for the weakest saint who puts his trust in God. High and low, rich and poor, have the same help provided.
Consider this great fact that Christ ceases not to engage in His solemn work in the heavenly sanctuary, and if you wear Christ’s yoke, if you lift Christ’s burden, you will be engaged in a work of like character with that of your living Head.
The Faith I Live By p. 205
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Prayer Requests
—-Lou has a pacemaker now. Please pray that this will be a successful treatment. Eileen
—-My student, D, Who ran out of my classroom in a panic yesterday was back in class today. She seemed to be back to her normal self. Thank you for your prayers. Mary
—-Please pray that God will guide my job search. JT
—-I would appreciate some prayers for my brother who has been missing for two months. Patricia
—-Please pray for Jeremy – he is on heavy antibiotics for an infection in his hand. The medication is affecting his liver. Also please pray for Layla who has a very bad migraine. The side of her face is numb. She is in her mid teens. Diane
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Dear Friends
When Esther was a little girl, she had the strangest habit. I had a part time job where I visited different homes on different days of the week. Whenever I came home, my children would greet me with the usual hugs and kisses, but Esther added one more way of greeting. Esther Marie smelled my clothes.
When asked, Esther replied that she was seeing whose house I had been to. I challenged her to tell me where I had been that day. She did. I was surprised that anyone could have such an acute sense of smell. Over the years, I began to notice (when my allergy-ridden nose would allow) that each family’s house or workplace has a certain unique smell.
Just as the smells from the places I had been had clung to my clothes, so the places we go, the things we do, what we see and hear have a lasting effect upon us. Scientific studies have shown that we take on the characteristics of whomever we are around for as little as ten minutes. We can see this phenomenon in phrases and gestures that find their origin from various television programs. How important, then, it is to choose our friends wisely. The influence of our associates changes us for good or for evil.
How important it is that we guard “the avenues to the soul.” The Bible says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3 That agreeing may not be present at first, but as we associate together, there is a blending of ideas and actions.
“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Ps 119:37 Our Great Creator has promised a reward to those who are careful to turn away from the bad and cling to the good. “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.” Isa 33:125-17
Think of it! If we behold our Loving Saviour through meditating upon His life and His goodness, speaking with Him as we would to a dear friend, we will be changed into His likeness as Paul explains, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18 This is our goal! This is our joy! To be like the One Who loved us so should be our greatest ambition. Then as others see us, they will see Jesus dwelling in us. This was the disciples’ experience. It is written, “and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
May that be our experience as well. May we determine as did David, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” 101:3 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8
Rose