Relational Intercession

 “And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
-Romans 8:27
 
So as I have continued to chew on this bit of scripture, another idea has surfaced in my heart. This idea is more one of appreciation than of anything else. I am so glad that I have an advocate before the father. The number one reason why God sent his son, Jesus, into the world was to redeem us from the separation of sin so that we could have relationship with God.
 
 I am so grateful that this is not some sterile intercession based solely on the sacrifice of Christ. Think about that notion:   Jesus dies for us so God feels obligated to forgive us. Not only are there major theological errors with this idea, but it is devoid of any notion of relationship that has to do with us.   In this scenario, what Jesus does on our behalf before the father is more about their relationship than about anything to do with us.
 
I would submit that the Spirit’s intercession on our behalf is about the continual declaration from God that He desires to be in relationship with us. He is declaring the kind of relationship that lavishly pours out every good thing He has in store for the design of our life in His will…even pouring out His son. This is why He sent Christ to save and rescue us from a life of relational separation. I am so thankful for that. What a picture of love and faithfulness! Keeping in mind this thought and also bringing to mind our continual state of imperfection, I am awestruck that God-- the one who is righteously high and lofty in the most pure and incorruptible sense-- is mindful of any of us at all.