"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16
I love the idea of coming boldly to the throne of grace... and I think that we can. It requires sincerity and repentance of course, and humility. I don't think that boldness and humility are mutually exclusive. I think that humility here is recognizing how much we need God, and not just assuming that we "deserve" God's grace in our lives, but the boldness is having a close relationship with God and knowing that if we love him and he loves us that it's okay to ask... just like I could ask my sister for money, or a big favor, or a kidney. It wouldn't be done lightly, but if I needed something that she could provide without harming others, she would do so... I know that because we have a relationship, and I love her, and she loves me. We can have a relationship with Christ that is like that--because he loves us and we love him, we know that he will help us obtain mercy and grace to overcome our sins, and he knows that we will repent and work to change and do better.
Today, let's look to Christ and remember that he *does* know what it is like to be in our shoes. In all points he was tempted as we are. Let's develop that relationship with him that we can because of his great compassion and love and understanding of what it is like to be who we are--and let's do our part as well, to change and grow and make his sacrifice and suffering worthwhile in our individual case. He did what he did to make a difference in our lives, as individuals. Let's accept his help and find our way back to God--asking boldly for the help that we need, and being humble and repentant in order to be worthy of his kindness and grace.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16
I love the idea of coming boldly to the throne of grace... and I think that we can. It requires sincerity and repentance of course, and humility. I don't think that boldness and humility are mutually exclusive. I think that humility here is recognizing how much we need God, and not just assuming that we "deserve" God's grace in our lives, but the boldness is having a close relationship with God and knowing that if we love him and he loves us that it's okay to ask... just like I could ask my sister for money, or a big favor, or a kidney. It wouldn't be done lightly, but if I needed something that she could provide without harming others, she would do so... I know that because we have a relationship, and I love her, and she loves me. We can have a relationship with Christ that is like that--because he loves us and we love him, we know that he will help us obtain mercy and grace to overcome our sins, and he knows that we will repent and work to change and do better.
Today, let's look to Christ and remember that he *does* know what it is like to be in our shoes. In all points he was tempted as we are. Let's develop that relationship with him that we can because of his great compassion and love and understanding of what it is like to be who we are--and let's do our part as well, to change and grow and make his sacrifice and suffering worthwhile in our individual case. He did what he did to make a difference in our lives, as individuals. Let's accept his help and find our way back to God--asking boldly for the help that we need, and being humble and repentant in order to be worthy of his kindness and grace.
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