Living in the Spirit
October 23, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28

Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. –Hebrews 7:23-25

Jesus Christ lives to make intercession for us is what the scripture above says, if we approach God through him. Here salvation appears to be a process of continuing relationship with God through Jesus Christ who is ready and willing to save us each time we get ourselves or find ourselves in situations from which we need salvation. Salvation in not just something we check off our bucket list.

I personally probably get into more trouble regarding living in synch with God when I try to ferret out exactly what God needs to do regarding my situation and hand Jesus my laundry list for the work needed like giving a handyman his assignments for the day. Rather presumptuous of me wouldn’t you say? Jesus is not a handyman sent to clean up after us. It seems to me in the life of Jesus Christ while here on earth, he was most often a teacher helping us learn from our experiences, enabling us to see alternatives to the actions that got us in a mess in the first place, and finally restoring our souls to wholeness so we can continue fruitfully in his service.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 145:8) There is nothing we can say or do that will come as a surprise to God. Being able to come to God through Jesus Christ and lay our deepest concerns before him will only result in his confident assurance that he is with us no matter what. We are the ones who at times choose to stray.

Prayer: God of Grace, forgive me when I turn away and seek solutions to life’s challenges without recognizing that you are beside me all the time. Tutor me, enable me, restore my soul so that I can serve you more nearly. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.