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“According to the Will of God”

Romans 8:27

Here is the glorious method of the Heart Searcher’s method of intercession. —– “According to the will of God.” Christ our Mediator and the heavenly Father are ever one in will, word, and work. On earth he did his Father’s will perfectly. In heaven he intercedes “according to the will of God.” He seeks for us that which it is the will of God to do and give, no more and no less (Romans 8:28-39).

As God

But notice the words “the will of” are in italics. That means that they were added by the translators. The phrase might be better translated, “according to God.” If that is the case, Paul’s meaning is that Christ intercedes for us as God. He does not plead as a suppliant on bended knees or with uplifted eyes, but with the dignity and grace of One who is God, One who never sinned, One who knows nothing of failure. He pleads with God upon the basis of God’s own holy character as a just and true God. He pleads with God as an equal; for this Man who is our great High Priest is God.

We are represented before the throne of God by a holy, sinless Man, who is himself God. Before he entered into heaven, he put away our sins, so that our sins could never appear against us in the presence of God. And all that he seeks from God for us, it is the will of God to do!

His People

“He maketh intercession for the saints.” His people, those for whom the Son of God makes intercession, are saints. Saved sinners are saints, God’s holy ones, God’s sanctified ones, sanctified by eternal election, effectual redemption, and divine regeneration.

We are transgressors. We would never think of denying that fact. And we rejoice to know that Christ makes “intercession for transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). But we are not transgressors, we are not sinners before God, in the sight of God.

Taking John 17 as the model of Christ’s intercession, you will notice that the Intercessor never speaks of his people as sinners. He does not offend the ear of his holy Father by calling his dear children sinners or transgressors. Seven times in that chapter, when he refers to us, he speaks of us as those “whom thou has given me.” He never mentions what we have done, but only what he has done for us. —– “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” The blood of his atonement has washed away all our sins, and the sentence of eternal justice from the throne of God upon all his elect is — “Justified from all things!” — “Cleansed from all sin!” — “Accepted in the Beloved!” — “Complete in Christ!”

“There David shines without a stain;

Uriah’s blood shall ne’er be known,

For like a millstone in the sea

Are all his black transgressions thrown!”

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s