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APPROACHING GOD

APROACHING GOD

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB)

“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in the presence of God. (1 John 3:21)”
“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:11-12)

“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.” ( Psalm 73:28)

One reason why we need to draw near God is because our sin has driven us far from him. Now since we have received the free gift of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and found forgiveness for our sin, we begin that process of drawing near to God. (See Romans 6:23)
There is no more hiding from him, or trying to cover up for the wrong that we have done. We have been released from the condemnation that was in our lives because Jesus Christ took our place, he took our punishment and we are set free.

Darlene Zschech (Hillsong) - I draw near to You

prayer
Thank you Father that I can come boldly to the throne called, “Grace”. It is in your presence that I can find mercy, and help in my time of need. Therefore I have confidence in your presence my God because my heart has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The nearness of God is for my good, and there is no more hiding from you or covering up my sin and shame. Thank you God for excepting and loving me. In Jesus name,amen.

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Comment by Pastor Bob B on February 16, 2009 at 1:06pm: My pastor is teaching on Leviticus and he made a quick statement that inspired me to write this.
The blood shed(animal sacrifice) was not about taking away sin, but about approaching God.

It was just a reminder that one day the blood of Jesus would be shed and sin would be forgiven and we would be able to come near. We got to really meditate on this truth, it says so much about grace.

We need to think about how bad sin is also. God has not changed his mind about sin. I think we think something has changed about God's hatred of sin, but it is only by the shed blood of Jesus that we are saved from the wrath of God toward sin. For me as I think of the awesome privilege I have been given to be a child of God makes me not want sin. why would we want to do something to offend some one who loves us so very much?

Comment by PoiemaDei on February 16, 2009 at 10:08am: What you have shared is so awe-inspiring that the great almighty God invites us to come near to Him. It's so awesome that God should take us from a state of being in enmity against Him because of our sins and iniquity and bring us to a state where we can now draw near to Him in communion and fellowship. You know what is even more amazing is that we now have access into a nearness with God which was forbidden to the general public in Israel under the Law. Only the High Priest could enter this place once a year. It is the Holiest Place in God's sanctuary in Heaven. We read in Hebrews 10:19-22:
19: Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20: by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21: and having a High Priest over the house of God,
22: 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.

Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace to us. Just as God's invitation for to come before the throne of grace, we are given boldness to come into this Holiest Place in communion with God. We are told to come with confidence and not allow our hearts to condemn. This certainly does not mean God has lowered His standard of reverence and holiness for us to enter into His Presence. Rather, this wonderfully shows the effectiveness with which the Blood cleanses us of all sins and makes us holy to commune with God.

APPROACHING GOD

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