Philemon 1:18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

This is the heart of intercession, put it on me. It begins with a willingness to accept a condition that is not of your own making. This sadly is only the beginning. This also must be within your authority. It is authorized by the issue of having an account with the one that has the ability to transfer that condition from another to yourself.

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

We have no account with unbelievers. Faith based ministries demand that faith must belong to both parties. We cannot stand in for the unbelieving, they are responsible unto themselves for their own condition.

Intercession is at the core of Christ’s ministry. He stood in for us, taking our shame at the cross. It is at His urging that we should do the same for others.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

To carry another’s cross, they too must be following Jesus.

Has Jesus given you a heart for intercession?

This is the mystery of how it works in Christ.

Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Just two verses earlier this man answered correctly. Love God, love your neighbor. The Jesus said, you’re right, do it. This was that man’s reaction in being asked to do what he knew to be true.

There is this lingering between knowledge and action that will always contain a huge weight based in choice. I would love to tell you that merely knowing the truth allows us to act on it, to do the right thing.

Romans 7:18b for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

If Paul for all his knowledge and will could not find it within himself the how, what chance do I stand?

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

How far is it from Romans 7:18 to Galatians 2:20? How far do I have to walk with my Lord until I find that faith acts while I watch? When will I stop trying to justify my choices and just allow truth to be done?

When will my love be perfected and cast out all fear?

I’m a child sitting in the back seat crying, “Are we there yet?”

“Look about you My son and take joy in the journey. We will be there soon enough.”