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 KJV
God wants to have fellowship with man and lead him back to where he rightly belongs with the Father. However there is a problem of holy proportions and that is God’s holiness! Anytime a holy God attempts to draw near to sinful man it triggers a reaction that results in sinful man’s death. Sinful man coming into the presence of God is like bringing fuel soaked paper near to an intense fire...spontaneous combustion!!! Ultimately because of this catastrophic dilemma man is ultimately destined for eternal separation from God, unless something is done...hold on...Someone already did that something! Jesus!
To see the Lord one requires holiness
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Heb 12:14 KJV
So…What is holiness?
The approach of the Israelites at Mt Sinai was very tentative and fearful. God gave specific warnings about their approach not being to close lest they die. When we approach the New Testament however we see a vast difference.
1. God wants us to be partakers of His holiness!
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Heb 12:10 KJV
2. We are invited to come boldly!
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 4:16 KJV
3. Our boldness in approaching is a result of the Blood of Jesus!
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 KJV
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:13 KJV
Many times we read the following passage in James and usually miss the part where it says “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Jas 4:6-8 KJV
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Heb 7:19 KJV
God actually wants us to get close to Him!
It is not in the nature of man to draw near to God. The SON however dwells in the bosom of the father. If we are in the Son we cannot help but be brought into God’s presence!
We need to stop acting like natural beasts that need a bridle in their mouths to be drawn near! Many are so fearful of God or son indifferent to their great need to get near to God that they need to be restrained in order to stay in the way!
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Psa 32:9 KJV
So once again…what is holiness?
In the Old Testament worship there were degrees of approach to God. The ordinary people remained in the outer court. The priest ministered in the Holy Place but the high priest went into the holiest of all that is the Holy of Holies where Yahweh came down and filled with His glory!.
Look at our key passage again:
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 KJV
We are informed that WE HAVE BOLDNESS, not to enter the outer court or even the holy place but right into the HOLIEST of all with our high priest. This boldness is because of the BLOOD!
The HOLIEST place in the whole of existence is the throne of God and this is made approachable to us by the precious Blood of Jesus!
As we approach nearer to God we get nearer to holiness, ultimately to the holiest and we realize that it is not a series of ‘don’ts’ and dos’. It is more a decision to draw near to God! How did the ground in the Midian desert get holy so that Moses had to take off his shoes? It was because Yahweh manifested His presence in the burning bush!
We are told to perfect holiness by moving away from the unclean towards the Father. The closer we get to God the farther away we are from the unclean until in the every Holiest in the heavens…the throne of God there is absolute holiness to which we have a right by the Blood of Jesus!
We are informed that we become partakers of His Holiness by yielding to His dealings with us in moving and directing and nudging us away from the undesirables towards Himself!
We are reminded to pursue holiness, without which we cannot see the Lord. This is pretty obvious since the more we pursue holiness the closer we get to God since His throne is the Holiest place of all which is God’s destiny for us! There in His presence we can behold His beauty and you do not even begin to understand what beauty is all about until you see the glory of God! What we called beauty fades into insignificance… a jaded memory before His face!
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. Psa 47:8 KJV
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Psa 48:1 KJV
The Bible repeatedly refers to the beauty of holiness!
The Journey to Holiness!
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isa 35:8-10 KJV
Everything mentioned pertaining to holiness is made possible by the Blood of Jesus. We get on the highway of holiness through His Blood! It is not therefore a series of dos and don’ts but a journey with a destination…the throne of the Father!
