9.44 Praying on the basis of the Cross
Today, we will share about prayer from a New Covenant perspective. We will take about a week to cover a few points. If we understand these truths, it could revolutionalize our prayer lives.
In the New Covenant, we now understand that our prayers should proceed from the finished work of Christ. When we pray on the basis of what Christ has accomplished, we pray “from victory”. But when we pray without considering the cross, we are always praying “for victory”.
There is a difference. Praying from victory is praying with faith in Jesus. We pray from a state of rest – resting in His finished work. Praying for victory often has to do with self-effort. It is often filled with anxiety. Sometimes, we end up begging and trying to “twist God’s arm” to “answer” our prayers. How many of us have been there before.
In the tabernacle, the incense has to be lighted in order to create the billowing smoke of the incense. First of all, the incense has to be beaten very fine. This is the picture of Jesus who was beaten and pounded as He went to the cross.
(Exodus 30:35)
You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. And you shall BEAT some of it VERY FINE…
Next, the fire that burns the incense must come from the coals of the Brazen Altar. The Brazen Altar is the cross, and the fire is God’s judgment. The Brazen Altar was lighted by the fire of God from heaven; it wasn’t the fire that man created. So on the cross, the fire of God consumed Jesus, resulting in sweet-smelling incense to the Lord.
(Lev 16:12)
Then he shall take a censer full of BURNING COALS OF FRIRE FROM THE ALTAR before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.
The pounded incense and the coals of fire tell us that prayer proceeds from the finished work of Christ. No other fire is acceptable before God. It would be considered strange fire. The sons of Aaron used strange fire and they got into trouble. Anything apart from the work of Jesus is strange fire. Prayer that proceeds from man, on the basis of works of the law or self-righteousness will be rejected.
Today, when we come to God in prayer, come through the cross. Relate to God in prayer through the finished work of Jesus, that has reconciled us to the Father.
In the New Covenant, we now understand that our prayers should proceed from the finished work of Christ. When we pray on the basis of what Christ has accomplished, we pray “from victory”. But when we pray without considering the cross, we are always praying “for victory”.
There is a difference. Praying from victory is praying with faith in Jesus. We pray from a state of rest – resting in His finished work. Praying for victory often has to do with self-effort. It is often filled with anxiety. Sometimes, we end up begging and trying to “twist God’s arm” to “answer” our prayers. How many of us have been there before.
In the tabernacle, the incense has to be lighted in order to create the billowing smoke of the incense. First of all, the incense has to be beaten very fine. This is the picture of Jesus who was beaten and pounded as He went to the cross.
(Exodus 30:35)
You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. And you shall BEAT some of it VERY FINE…
Next, the fire that burns the incense must come from the coals of the Brazen Altar. The Brazen Altar is the cross, and the fire is God’s judgment. The Brazen Altar was lighted by the fire of God from heaven; it wasn’t the fire that man created. So on the cross, the fire of God consumed Jesus, resulting in sweet-smelling incense to the Lord.
(Lev 16:12)
Then he shall take a censer full of BURNING COALS OF FRIRE FROM THE ALTAR before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.
The pounded incense and the coals of fire tell us that prayer proceeds from the finished work of Christ. No other fire is acceptable before God. It would be considered strange fire. The sons of Aaron used strange fire and they got into trouble. Anything apart from the work of Jesus is strange fire. Prayer that proceeds from man, on the basis of works of the law or self-righteousness will be rejected.
Today, when we come to God in prayer, come through the cross. Relate to God in prayer through the finished work of Jesus, that has reconciled us to the Father.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:38 AM
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