Getting
Near to God
The essential work of our great High priest is to bring us near
to God. The Lord Jesus Christ gives us perfect confidence in drawing near to our heavenly
Father. He has opened up and keeps open for us the blessed access into God’s presence
and fellowship. Therefore, the Kingdom of God is a reality in the heart of every believer.
The measure of nearness to God is a good indication of our knowledge
and intimacy of Jesus Christ. This confidence is what the Holy Spirit works in us as the
inward participation in Christ’s entrance into the Father’s presence. He takes
us by the hand and brings us into the presence of the Father (Eph. 2:18).
Our great High Priest has entered into heaven and
there intercedes on our behalf. He understands us and our deepest needs
because "we do not have a high priest incapable of
sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every
way just as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NET).
Our great High Priest has been where we are, and tempted in every
way. He is able to “sympathize,” lit. “to feel or suffer with” our
weakness. “The sinless One has a greater capacity for compassion than any sinner
could have for a fellow sinner.” A sinless person would feel temptation in a much
greater way than you and I could ever experience.
Thus, the writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore
let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and
find grace whenever we need help” (v. 16 NET). We are invited and encouraged to
come to the “throne of grace” of the Sovereign King any time we are in need.
It is the marvelous teaching of Hebrews that we can actually, in
spiritual reality, draw near to God, and live in that nearness in a living fellowship with
Him all day, every day. We can live our daily life in a living communion with God. Our
entrance into the holiest is by means of the cleansing of sin through the blood of Jesus
Christ. There is no other means of access and maintenance in the presence of the Holy One.
The work of our great high priest is so perfect,
and His power in heaven so sovereign that he not only gives us the right
and freedom to draw near, but by his high priestly activity he takes us
into the presence of God so we can abide there.
Our great high priest takes possession of our
innermost being and enables us to live in God's holy presence.
Once we learn to appropriate the present work of our great High
Priest, our Christian life takes on an even greater personal meaning to us.
We can enter often with confidence or boldness before the
“throne of grace.” This is essential for a healthy Christian life. It should be
the passion of the Christian to strive to maintain an unbroken fellowship in drawing near
to God.
Every believer can enter into the presence of God with the full
blessing of a life spent in the power of Christ’s heavenly priesthood. Let us come
with confidence and tarry before the throne of God in grace and prayer so that we may find
life within the veil, in the power of the sinless One who has entered there for us.
Do you desire with deep, intense longing to be made free from sin, as
free as God can make you in this life? Then come boldly to the throne of grace and mercy.
The only way we can come is by means of His blood.
This is where we find sustaining grace for daily life and power for
ministry. Our great High Priest “has gone right up to heaven itself, let us continue
to keep a firm hold on our profession of faith in Him . . . so let us continue coming with
courage, to the throne of God’s unmerited favor to obtain His mercy and to find His
spiritual strength to help us when we need it” (Williams translation of Hebrews 4:14,
16).
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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