DAVID DECLARES IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS Devotion 1 of 28 If men are going to have confidence before God, they must know He has accepted them. This is highlighted by the fact that we are exhorted to draw close to God, coming boldly and confidently before Him. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:15). Again we are admonished, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an 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" (Heb 10:19-22). – Tomorrow:
"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." (Romans 4:5-8, NKJV)
Through Christ, both Jew and Gentile "have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph 2:18). However, that is not all. Boldness and confidence can accompany us into the presence of the Lord. "Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Eph 3:12, NKJV).
It is not possible to boldly approach the Lord, or stand confidently before His throne when we are doubtful about our relationship to Him. It only takes one real confrontation of the Almighty to cause vain religion to dissipate. Saul of Tarsus could not continue his mission of persecution after he encountered the living Christ! When God unveils the Lord Jesus, and He comes in all of His glory, those who fought against His people will not fight against Him. Instead they will "hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and say to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand" (Rev 6:15-17). Salvation is about getting us ready for that ultimate confrontation. We are being oriented for it, among other things, by learning to come boldly and confidently before Him now.
Knowing the sureness of the Lord's return in glory, and knowing that no character-change will be possible at that time, the Spirit strives now to convince men of sin, righteousness and judgment. By illuminating the preached Gospel, He persuades the tender of heart of their sin of unbelief. He brings them to see that Jesus is the only truly righteous One, for He has ascended to the Father. He brings them to see that Satan has already been judged, and is no longer worthy of the smallest measure of obedience (John 16:8-11). Men must cease to listen to him.
Once the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit is realized, the matter of our acceptance by God will be opened to our hearts, convincing us we are "accepted in the Beloved." This series of devotions deals with that persuasion
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for a salvation so great, it enables the humble and contrite spirit to come into Your presence with boldness and confidence.