“Secure In Christ”

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence – without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore! Amen.”
Jude 24-25 (NIV)

We all like guarantees don’t we? When we buy a new appliance we are assured that the guarantee covers us against any defect or failure, so that we have peace of mind for the duration of the surety. It’s a comforting feeling. It gives us confidence, assurance and security; “a peaceful, easy feeling”, to quote an old Eagles song.

Christians have the most amazing guarantee that ever existed. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews tells us, “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22 NIV)

Isn’t that fantastic? Jesus himself is the surety of this new and everlasting covenant that we have with God, whose name is Father. This amazing covenant has been made between a pardoning God, and an obedient and forgiven people. But the most exciting provision of this covenant is the surety, in whom its fulfilment on both parts is guaranteed.

Jesus is that surety.

To man He became surety that God would fulfil His part so that man could confidently depend on Him to pardon, accept, and never forsake.

To God He also became surety that man would faithfully fulfil his part so that our Father could bestow upon us His special blessings.

The one who promised just before His ascension to heaven; “Lo I am with you all the days – perpetually, uniformly and on every occasion – to the close and consummation of the age.
Amen.” Matthew 28:20 (Amplified Bible). It’s our special guarantee, our safety net if you like. With Him as our security, we can dare to do great things for our God.

The knowledge that He intercedes for us as our great High Priest with the power of an “Endless life” and is able to save us completely has got to be totally reassuring for us (Hebrews 7:24-25).
Every moment He lives to pray.
Every moment He lives to bless.
Moment by moment He intercedes for us, standing good for the fulfilment of the covenant. Trust Him!
He is our security, and because of that He can’t afford to leave us for a minute.
He dare not do so or He fails in His undertaking.
Even when we are unfaithful, He cannot be!
Even when we are not His friend, He is always ours!
The stability of the New Covenant depends on Christ; He is our guarantee against defect, failure or breakdown.

Several years ago if you found yourself driving behind a learner driver who was being instructed by the British School of Motoring, you probably would have noticed their motto which was printed on the rear of the car. It said,” We will not fail you.”
Jesus’ motto also is “I will not fail you!”
Companies promise to stand behind their products with satisfaction guaranteed. If we believe the promises of fallible humans, how much more can we trust the promises of God, who never fails?

Prayer
Our faithful and loving Father, thank you for the surety that we have in your Son Jesus. Thank you Lord for being our Saviour and perfect High Priest who ever lives to intercede for us. Help us constantly to put our trust in you.
Amen

Study by Cliff Neill