Our relationship in the heavenly family
by Charles Bertelsmeier
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Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf (Hebrews 7:24,25).
What mental picture do you have when you read or hear about Jesus interceding with the Father on our behalf? Do you see Jesus pleading with his Father to go easy on you because you are a reasonable, decent person, and you haven’t done anything really bad, at least for a while? Do you see the Father with his chin in his hand, chewing this over in his mind, weighing up the good and bad things you have done to decide where your eternal future lies?
Actually, there is only one argument Jesus has that will work with his Father. His standards of perfection are so infinitely high that we would never pass the test of being good enough. Jesus’ argument is that, on behalf of all humanity, as a 100% human while he was here on earth, he lived the perfect life we could not live – for all of us. And then as the same 100% human, acting as the representative of all humanity, he took our failures on himself in death on the cross and to the grave. When we accept this free gift, we are now clothed with Jesus’ perfection and stand perfect – as measured by God’s infinitely high standards – before God.
I believe we are so conditioned by our existing relationships with family, friends and work colleagues, where we are rewarded for the way we treat others, that we really struggle to believe God loves us unconditionally and sacrificially. He really wants us to get over trying to be good because we will never be good enough. Rather, he wants us to live as members of the heavenly family, with all resources freely provided by the Father and guidance and direction provided by the Holy Spirit. Yes, it can be a bit scary to have to entrust our security and future to God, but it is also so exciting to see how God works in our lives, letting us be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others.
How secure do you feel about God’s unconditional love to you that you can open up to him about your fears and insecurities and ask him to set you free to live excitedly as a member of his family?
Heavenly Father, we are tempted so often to try hard to be good people so we can feel worthy of your love and care for us. We ask that you would help us stop trying to be good but rather surrender our whole lives to you so that we could share in the joy and excitement of living as members of your family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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