We concluded our last message by saying that Jesus’ preparation of the rooms in His Father’s house is continuous.
Father is holy and man not, so the preparation task of Jesus at the Father’s side involves first: “God exalted Him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel” (Acts 5:31). These include all the children of Abraham, thus also gentile believers. And second: “Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). He has to see to it that you are saved and then, as the Holy Spirit prepares you for holiness, Jesus intercedes for you. Jesus sees to it that you are ready to come into the Father’s presence -- the place (house) where He (Jesus) is. Through the Holy Spirit He must see to it that you enter the Kingdom – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Usually the Father gives a command and the Holy Spirit converse it to you who is supposed to obey, so God’s Kingdom can grow. When you do not do what the Spirit tells you to do, Jesus intercedes for you while the Holy Spirit tries to convict you of your sin. The whole purpose of their effort, in their great love for you, is to keep you in right standing with the Father (righteousness) so you can be with God.
Jesus intention for you is to be holy; in other words set aside for the Lord and His plans for your life.
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord," (Hebrews 12:14).
In this final teaching of Jesus, as recorded in the book of John chapters 14 to 17, He gave intense attention to this aspect of closeness to the Father, because He knew that intimacy on earth will mean eternal intimacy.
Lord, please help me to be intimate with you.
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