Righteousness and Biblical Prayer, Part 2

The imputed righteousness of our Lord Christ is the foundation in our communion with God.  The iniquity of us all was placed upon our Lord Jesus (Is. 53:5, 6).  He took it upon Himself to become sin.  That is, it was as if He became sin in our place (2 Cor. 5:21).  He remained and still remains sinless to this very day.  That is, He is the lamb without blemish.  He also bore the curse for us rebels (Gal. 3:13).  The Lord Jesus took away our sins so we could have communion with God (Jn 1:29; Heb. 9:28).  The God of Israel justifies the ungodly (Rom. 5:18, 19), and He becomes our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30).  We become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21) by faith and Abraham demonstrated his faith (Rom. 4:3).  The very imputed merit of Christ is the center and cornerstone of intercessory prayer.  It is the basis for the purposes, characteristics and examples of prayer.  We come to God on the basis of prayer.  The basis of prayer is the unified virtue of Christ.  We come to Him in adoration, confession, supplication, intercession and thanksgiving. We ought to never come to God on our own personal ‘merit.’  We have failed because of sin.  But we are victorious through Christ our Victor.  The good news is that we have triumphed over our spiritual enemies through Jesus Christ our divine Substitute.  We must come to God on the basis of Christ alone.  May we delight to do so!  Amen.