Today I am so grateful and happy to have as a guest blogger, my friend Christina; you can find her at Heavenly Springs. Christina has a passion for Jesus and loves the body of Christ.
I encourage you, grab your journal and be ready to jot down some notes! You will not regret it.
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| Christina at Heavenly Springs |
The Secret of the Believers Boldness
Among the many strategies that Satan uses to keep the saints from entering into the holy of holies is accusation. Revelation 12:10 depicts Satan as “the accuser of our brothers…who accuses them day and night before our God.” In fact, the Greek word for devil is “diabolos” which means slanderer. False accuser.
I can tell you from experience that a guilty and compromised conscience is no match for this kind of power. Many times I have been silenced in prayer by the “accuser’s” malice. Standing at my right hand, he reminds me of all that I am apart from Christ, which is totally and irreparably depraved! I cannot argue!
Our fallen nature and sins make us so vulnerable to Satan’s accusations. But, there is a secret to the believers boldness in prayer!
Under the Old Covenant, priests were considered to be God’s mediators. Their job was to bring men and women into the prescence of God. The only way to do this was to present a blood sacrfice. So, day after day, month after month, and year after the priests offered the blood of animals to atone for the sins of the people. But, at the cucifixion of Jesus, something happened that would forever change this pattern. The curtain of the Temple was rent in two and now, anyone could enter into the presence of God – but only through Jesus Christ, His Son. John MacArthur explains this well,
“In one perfect act of sacrifice, Jesus Christ accomplished what thousands upon thousands of sacrifices by a multitude of priests never accomplished. He opened the way to God permanently, so that any man at any time by faith in Christ might enter into God’s presence.”
Did you get that? Any man. Any time. By faith in Christ. So now, I am learning, when Satan points an accusing finger at me, I point him to Christ. No, I am not here of my own merit. I don’t have any. No, I haven’t any righteousness of my own either. I am guilty of many wicked and evil things, too many to count! But my righteousness is “that which comes through faith in Christ”. (Philippians 3:9). I am saved, not because of the righteous things I have done but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:5)
J.C. Ryle tells us in his book, “Old Paths” what the reason for our confidence is. He tells the secret!
“Would you know the secret of the believer’s boldness in prayer? It is a marvel how a man that feels his sin so deeply as the believer does, can speak with the confidence the believer frequently does. How one that acknowledges he is “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked,” ruined, undone—who often does what he ought not to do, and leaves undone what he ought to do, and finds no spiritual health in him—how such a one as this can go before God with confidence, pour out his heart before Him freely, ask from Him what he requires day after day and not feel afraid—this is wonderful indeed. What is the secret of it? It is the intercession of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whereby the true Christian knows his prayers are made acceptable, and received in the court of heaven.”
Christina
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A little note…just so you know: I made a mistake and hit “publish” instead of “schedule”! This post should have appeared on Friday the 23th.
Daily On My Way to Heaven 
Wow Christina! Thank you so much for this wonderful piece! I can so relate when you said:
“Many times I have been silenced in prayer by the “accuser’s” malice. Standing at my right hand, he reminds me of all that I am apart from Christ, which is totally and irreparably depraved! I cannot argue”
Praise God for our High Priest who ever liveth to make intercession on our behalf!
Love you!
Ps. Please forgive my late response. An unnexpected emergency trip to CA and computer issues got me off track.
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Becky, thank you so much for the privilege to share on your blog. I bless God for you and thank him for the blessing you are to the body!
Pilgrim Mommy — as soon as I get a chance I am going to look up the rest of the lyrics to that hymn. You captured exactly what I was trying to express!
Petra – thank you for the verse from John. Praise God for our robes of righteousness!
Blessings to you all!
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Pilgrim Mommy, I love that hymn! and yes perfect for this post!
Petra, Praise God! He has dressed us with His righteousness.
Blessings!
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This is a blessing to read, Christina, and it brought to mind the following verse:
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 16:25-27
It makes my heart sing! “In that day you will ask in my name.” We need not despair of our filthy rags… because we’re covered by His blood and righteousness! Our love for Christ (given us from above) has covered us!
Blessings and love to you and Becky!
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Amen! It reminds of this verse from “Before the Throne of God Above”:
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
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