Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, March 5, 2016

This Week’s Devotional Focus is, “Christ, Our High Priest.”

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:1–3).

This has been a powerful week of devotional lessons about our loving High Priest. Not the half has been told. Right now, as you are experiencing today’s thought, all heaven is astir wrapping up the final elements in Christ’s ministry on our behalf. Soon, and very soon, Jesus will have done all He can for humanity. Soon, and very soon, Jesus will have fulfilled His mission to forgive, cleanse, and empower all who are willing to live for Him. And for those people who have accepted His hard work on their behalf, Jesus will return and present His eternal reward of life without sin, death, or the devil.

Today, I would like to provide one last bit of encouragement to those who sometimes feel like you are fighting a losing battle in the struggle over your soul. Under the inspiration of God, John said that he would be so happy if we would choose not to sin. This is in line with many things he taught regarding the power of God’s love to make us so holy that we would not need to continue sinning. This is in line with the fact that he taught that those who confess their sins are in position to be forgiven, cleansed, and empowered for holiness. So when he says his desire for all is that we refuse to sin, it is not in our own strength that he’s talking about. Yet, he says, although God has made it possible through submission to His divine Spirit, some true believers may stumble and fall on occasion. And for those who have this unfortunate experience, our High Priest, who also has died for our sins and rose again, advocates for us in heaven. He stands confidently in the authority of His victory over sin in the flesh, to represent our need before the Father who also loves us. And standing stalwart as our representative, if we have faith in Him, we are seen as the sterling characters that Jesus is. With Jesus as our Advocate we are able to emerge from any apparent defeat or spiritual setback to live in the power of our King.

The beauty of this truth is that this power is available to everyone. It was not only for those whom God knew would become believers that Jesus died. Jesus gave His life for the entire world so that none need perish in our sins. However, for Jesus to be able to stand in High Priestly ministry for you, you must accept His sacrifice. You must accept His righteousness in place of your own. You must consent to allow God to form your character into the image of His dear Son. Then, and only then, will Christ’s ministry of cleansing be effective to deliver you from eternal death. So your marching orders are simple today. Accept all that Jesus has done and is doing, and be saved. He will work out the details as you grow in Him. He will strengthen you to resist evil. Give Jesus control of your life and you will not regret it.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)