Heb. 4:12-16 “12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 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.”
Contemplate what these verses are saying. God is asking us to draw near to Him with confidence, even though everything about us, even the thoughts and the intentions of our hearts are laid bare before His eyes. As a matter of fact, that phrase “let us draw near,” literally means to continually draw near. It is amazing to think that God loves our “nearness” even in light of all that He knows about us. That word “confidence” actually simply means “all.” In other words, He invites us to bring our “all” to Him (that includes our imperfections, and sin) without fear of condemnation and rejection. God’s heart is to forgive and to heal us. Our transformation is His commitment, and that can only happen in His presence. The enemies primary activity is to keep us separated from The Presence, because he knows that in God’s presence we experience transformational mercy and grace, ever becoming Christlike, which puts him in peril. He also simply takes great delight in destroying God’s masterpiece. Therefore, he will continually make you feel guilty and condemned, so that you will feel too ashamed to draw near to God. Don’t let the accuser keep you from drawing near to the one, who knowing everything about you, even your very intentions and motives, delights in your presence.
Further up and further in,
+Chuck