"Let Us Draw Near"

Christ intercedes for us while seated upon the throne next to the Father. “Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34). This certainly should give us boldness in knowing that Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand. The right hand speaks both of authority and also speaks of strength. He is the Strong One who endured the cross and is seated at the Father’s right hand. (Hebrews 12:2).

Another reason for having assurance is that the Lord saves us to the uttermost: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25). Though He saves us to the uttermost, there is the personal requirement of Spiritual cleanliness. We are to have “our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”. Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience is to have the forgiveness of God upon us as we approach Him. We should be always mindful that it is He who forgives and grants us access into His presence. We should reverently approach Him and have our conduct with an awareness that we are in His presence by way of His omniscience. Spiritually, even while we walk upon this dusty earth, we are at the same time seated in the heavenlies.

C. A Boldness Should Be Revealed By Ones Attitude. (Vv. 24-31)

Our attitude towards others and our attitude toward ourselves should be different because of our new relationship made possible by the putting away of the old and the bringing in of the new economy. We should be willing to share our blessings with others even as they were shared with us. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (V. 24). What is more Christian than that? How can we be Christian and at the same time selfishly have our own existence. Everything that we do should be done as ambassadors to others. We should as we walk in the faith encourage others to do the same.

Everything that we accomplish spiritually should be on the basis of “love and to good works”. Love is not a wimpy word as some would have you to believe. It is as though some would have you to think that love challenges ones toughness. Is there not a thing as “tough love”? God demonstrated just how strong and how enduring true love is when He went to the cross. He bled and died shedding His own precious blood. This is the spirit in which we should serve the Lord while at the same time provoking others to good service. The word provoke (paroxysmos) means to incite in a passionate way. The root meaning carries the idea of doing it in close proximity. If I am to provoke one to good service, I must develop a spiritual intimacy with that person, even as Christ shares and intimacy with us. As we assemble together as a church, we should strive to have a kindred spirit with those who surround us and those who make up us. This spirit should be marked by unity. Christ should be seen in our ever activity as we worship and serve Him. This should be the spirit which causes us to provoke or encourage others to do well.