THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
by Given O. Blakely
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GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SON, #6
                             He Is Seated At God's Right Hand
   The purging of our sins did not complete the work of Jesus--it only finished the earthly phase of it.
Upon the basis of His vicarious, or substitutionary, atonement, Jesus now sits on the Father's right hand.
He is administrating the covenant, interceding for the saints, and bringing them to glory. He is bringing
them through fire and water, trial and tribulation, valleys and mountains! He is subduing their enemies,
dispatching angelic forces to aid them, and filling  with joy and peace in believing. This is all work to be
accomplished from the right hand of thee Father.
   Mark ends His Gospel with the inclusion of these words. "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he
was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). On the day of Pentecost,
Peter credited the mighty displayal of the Holy Spirit to the working of Jesus at the right hand of God.
"Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the
Holy Spirit, He has poured out this that you both see and hear" (Acts 2:33, NRSV).  Later, the Apostle
associated the giving of repentance and the remission of sin to the Savior at God's right hand. "God
exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness
of sins" (Acts 5:31, NRSV). In his violent death, Stephen was afforded the privilege of seeing Jesus
"standing at the right hand of God," as though to receive the first to shed his blood because of the Gospel
(Acts 7:56). In one grand expression of praise, Paul shows the extent of Christ's redemptive work. "Who
is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand
of God and is also interceding for us" (Rom 8:34, NIV). The Colossians were reminded that here--where
Jesus is--is the only appropriate place for our affection. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1). 
   Here, at the Father's right hand, is the place of authority, favor, and effective guidance! It is the Father's
"right hand" that is "full of righteousness" (Psa 48:10)--and it becomes accessible to us through Christ!
Mortals are upheld by this right hand (Isa 41:10), made adequate to the challenges of the faith-life. The
Psalmist spoke of "the saving strength of His right hand" (Psa 20:6)--and that is where the Lord is! His
presence there guarantees the salvation everyone that abides in Christ!
   It is a "holy" right hand, and a victorious one, that is the present residence of our Savior (Psa 98:1).
When the Father exerted His mighty power in the resurrection of Christ, "He raised him from the dead,
and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:20). There, He is transcendent to and
ruling over "all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not
only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (v 21). The purpose for this exaltation is that He
might finalize your salvation, bringing you all the way to glory. His presence there means your faith is
not vain, your labors are not vain, and your hope is solid and secure.
 
(More on this subject tomorrow)
In joyful expectation of glory
Given O. Blakely