by Nancy Taylor Tate
True Christianity is much more than mental assent to a new way of thinking or living. Through faith and repentance, I am born again; as a newborn babe I am to desire the sincere milk of the Word that I might grow. I am to grow up into Him in all things, who is the head (John 3:7; 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15).
When I am born again I become the righteousness of Christ. Judicially, I am just as if I never sinned. Yet experientially, I have to grow into what is judicially mine. How are we to do this?
“As Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father” so we have the power to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). We do this as we exercise choice, learning and choosing rightly to draw on the great power, strength, and divine enablement we have available through Christ!
As we wait on the Lord, our strength is renewed or exchanged for His strength (Isaiah 40:31). How comforting to know His strength is made perfect in weakness! We can pray for the power of Christ to rest upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Encouraging too, is that we have an intercessor, Christ, who makes intercession for us according to the will of God. What a great promise we have in Romans 8, which speaks of that intercession, then says, “and” verse 28, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Notice the direct link between the intercession of Christ for us “and” all things working together for good. Not all things are good, that’s for sure; but God turns that which takes place and works it for His good. As life unfolds I look for the redemptive purposes of God, or His “working together for good” despite what did or did not happen.
May these two truths encourage you today as they have me! As Christians, the same Spirit that raised Christ up from the dead now dwells in us! We can live and walk in that power. We also have an intercessor who is praying for us according to the will of God!
It is important that we take time to become quiet and receptive in His presence, as we also spend time in worship, prayer, and His Word, that His Spirit might work in us and through us.
The next time you wish you had someone to pray for you, look to Christ. He is interceding for you according to the will of God! Take time to receive of His Spirit, His wisdom and grace. You will find yourself with new strength to run your race!