DRAWING NEAR Now we come to the exhortation--the summons to act upon the marvelous knowledge we have obtained. -- Tomorrow:
"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)
Devotion 8 of 16
" . . . 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."
It is not enough to give intellectual assent to the correct things – things pertaining to life and godliness. We must ACT upon them. It is good and necessary to have the correct theological position on revealed matters, but it is of no lasting value unless we act upon that knowledge, by faith translating it into life.
The promised blessing will not be ours until we avail ourselves of what has been provided for us. The Holy Spirit will now show us the reasonableness of coming to God – of drawing close to Him. This is a posture of spirit in which all other things are subordinated to the quest for God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Earth loses its priority. Flesh is crucified. All other relationships are placed into the background of life. To come to God, He Himself must be one's solitary focus.
There is no reason for not coming, and God will not allow any to be concocted by men. If men do not "come to the Father," it is because they are unreasonable and deceived. They have somehow been led to believe they cannot come to Him. Others simply do not want to come, for they really see no need for drawing close to the One who has redeemed them.
The Spirit, however, does not even deal with such meager excuses. They are unworthy of any consideration. Instead, He gets straight to the point, urging us to come near to the Lord. The way has been cleared for doing so. The Father is waiting to receive those who come to Him through His Son. The Spirit will assist us in drawing near. Everything is ready. Now it only remains to come near.
HAVING A HIGH PRIEST
We presently have a High Priest "over the house of God," including those who are in Christ Jesus in this world, as well as "the spirits of just men made perfect" (Heb 12:23). It is not that we HAD a High Priest – that is, a historical One. Nor, indeed, is it that we SHALL have a High Priest – a prophetic One. Our High Priest is in the "NOW!" "NOW," when "faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things hoped for" (Heb 11:1), we have a High Priest! "NOW," when it is "a time accepted" and "the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2), we have a High Priest! "NOW," when there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1), we have a High Priest! "NOW," when we are admonished to "be filled with the Spirit," (Eph 5:19) we have a High Priest! "Now," in the time of need, we have a High Priest. "Now," when we suffer trials, ensure oppositions, and are subjected to tribulation, we have a High Priest. Now! Today! At this very hour! This is the time to come.
WE are the ones who have a High Priest, and therefore WE are the ones who are to come. The High Priest is not for angels, He is for men – for all who come unto God through Him. He enables us to come to God, and prepares for us to be received with gladness. Now is the time to come, and to come boldly.
The High Priest will ensure we will arrive in the Presence of the Lord – by faith now, and "face to face" in the day of the Lord. The High priest guarantees our welcome by the Father if we will come through Him. We have a High Priest NOW, so let us come NOW, without delay, and with our whole heart. There we will find healing balm for our ills. There, we will find strength, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Let us come to God BECAUSE we have a High Priest!
The High Priest will see to it that we lack nothing that is required to come, and nothing that is required to be received. He will ensure that no adversary will stop us, or keep us from the blessing. He will marshal holy angels to assist us and minister to us. He will show us what can be seen, and strengthen us for what needs to be done.
Hear the exhortation again: "And having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near . . . "
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to spend more time with You, drawing near through the way You have graciously provided.