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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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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