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The Power of Prayer is in the Blood
As we continue to talk about the total dependency upon God in prayer, we find a scripture that seems to contradict dependency on God and promote self-righteousness. James 5:16 says, “the effective prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much.” It gives the appearance of contradicting other scriptures such as Romans 3:10 which says, “there is none righteous, not even one.” It even seems to contradict Jesus words as Jesus Himself said in Mark 10:18, “No one is good except God alone.”
Upon closer consideration, we discover through this seemingly evident contradiction that although we have no righteousness of our own, through faith in Jesus Christ, God has given to us righteousness. (Romans 3:22). I Corinthians 1:30 tells us, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” By God’s design, when our faith is in Jesus, we are in Him; and if we are in Him, His righteousness is in us. We cannot stand in our own righteousness because we have none. However, through Christ we have a perfect righteousness. The bible says in Hebrews 4:16 that we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Through the righteousness that we have in Christ, which is given by our faith in Him, we can come with confidence before the throne of God.
The temple that Solomon built and dedicated to the Lord was not the same temple that was in existence when Jesus walked upon this earth; however, it had the same basic design. On the inside of the temple was the Holy Place where only the priests were allowed to come in and minister. In the back of the Holy Place was a veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. All the priests were allowed into the Holy Place every day to perform their ministerial duties; yet, only the High Priest one time out of the year on the Day of Atonement was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies.
Inside the Holy of Holies was the very presence of God. Sin cannot enter into the presence of God, so the High Priest had to have all his sins confessed and repented of before entering the Holy of Holies. If he hadn’t, he would have been consumed by God’s presence. However, when Jesus died upon the cross, God’s work of redeeming mankind was finished. The Word of God, in Mathew 27:51, tells us that the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God had made His presence available to all who would call on Him and put their faith in Him.
Many times we get the impression that God hears and answers some people’s prayers more than He does others. However, Romans 2:11 says, “There is no partiality with God.” God doesn’t sit up in heaven saying, “I think I’m going to answer this person’s prayer today and not that person’s.” Remember that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” and that our righteousness is not found within ourselves but in Jesus. I Timothy 2:5 tells us, “for there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” With faith in Christ we pray through Christ, and Christ alone, directly to the throne of God.Reclaiming the Land: God's Formula for Revival
Upon closer consideration, we discover through this seemingly evident contradiction that although we have no righteousness of our own, through faith in Jesus Christ, God has given to us righteousness. (Romans 3:22). I Corinthians 1:30 tells us, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” By God’s design, when our faith is in Jesus, we are in Him; and if we are in Him, His righteousness is in us. We cannot stand in our own righteousness because we have none. However, through Christ we have a perfect righteousness. The bible says in Hebrews 4:16 that we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Through the righteousness that we have in Christ, which is given by our faith in Him, we can come with confidence before the throne of God.
The temple that Solomon built and dedicated to the Lord was not the same temple that was in existence when Jesus walked upon this earth; however, it had the same basic design. On the inside of the temple was the Holy Place where only the priests were allowed to come in and minister. In the back of the Holy Place was a veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. All the priests were allowed into the Holy Place every day to perform their ministerial duties; yet, only the High Priest one time out of the year on the Day of Atonement was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies.
Inside the Holy of Holies was the very presence of God. Sin cannot enter into the presence of God, so the High Priest had to have all his sins confessed and repented of before entering the Holy of Holies. If he hadn’t, he would have been consumed by God’s presence. However, when Jesus died upon the cross, God’s work of redeeming mankind was finished. The Word of God, in Mathew 27:51, tells us that the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God had made His presence available to all who would call on Him and put their faith in Him.
Many times we get the impression that God hears and answers some people’s prayers more than He does others. However, Romans 2:11 says, “There is no partiality with God.” God doesn’t sit up in heaven saying, “I think I’m going to answer this person’s prayer today and not that person’s.” Remember that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” and that our righteousness is not found within ourselves but in Jesus. I Timothy 2:5 tells us, “for there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” With faith in Christ we pray through Christ, and Christ alone, directly to the throne of God.Reclaiming the Land: God's Formula for Revival
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