Draw Near to God

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." To "come boldly to the throne of grace" involves drawing near to God.

Hebrews 10:19-22 explains, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

We draw near to God "by a new and living way which He (Jesus) consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh" (v. 20). "New" (v. 20a) is used only once in the New Testament. Its original meaning was "freshly slaughtered." Jesus is the new way, the freshly slaughtered sacrifice, who opens the way to God. It seems contradictory that the freshly slaughtered way would also be the "living way" (v. 20a). But Jesus' death conquered death and gives life. His death is the only way to life that is everlasting.

It seems that as Jesus lived and ministered on this earth, it was as though His flesh, like the veil in the temple, was a barrier between God and man. Only by its sacrifice could sins be atoned for. Only by its sacrifice could man be brought into the presence of God. When the veil of the temple was torn in two during the crucifixion, you might say that the spiritual veil of His flesh was also torn in two,

As a result, not only did Jesus open the way to God, but He is now our "High Priest over the house of God" (v. 21). He is in heaven ministering on our behalf as our intercessor before the Father. Not only does He provide the way to God, He takes us with Him into the presence of God and ministers for us in heaven. With Christ we are in God's presence. Romans 5:10 says, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

So your life as a Christian must be defined by drawing near to God in faith. Verse 22 adds, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." "A true heart" (v. 22a) means "a sincere heart" (NIV) or one that is genuine, without superficiality, hypocrisy, or ulterior motive. Coming to God "in full assurance of faith" (v. 22a) requires a commitment that is genuine. Draw near to God every day by seeking Him with your whole heart, a heart cleansed by Jesus.

"Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience" (v. 22b) pictures deliverance. Jesus died to remove our sins. When we receive Him by faith, our conscience becomes free from guilt. God sees us as being guiltless and we are able to draw near to Him. And "having… our bodies washed with pure water" (v. 22b) does not refer to baptism, but to transformation. Our lives are transformed, they are changed by the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

These two aspects of cleansing go together. Salvation involves both. The death of Christ pays the penalty for your sin and the Holy Spirit cleanses you and changes you from the inside out. Draw near to God with a sincere faith every day. Let Jesus cleanse your innermost thoughts, and let Him transform your life. Amen.