“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.” Hebrews 10:22
The issue of drawing near to God, and consequently knowing His nearness to us, is first seen in the Garden of Eden. In the book of Genesis, we find, even after Adam and Eve had sinned, that “…they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” (3:8) The Eternal God in Christ, would come to speak, converse, revealing the great goodness of His person, to the man and woman. Proximity to man was in His plan, that man should benefit in the highest, and greatest way, receiving the revelation and life-giving power of the Spirit. The knowledge of God, as a result of this proximity, or nearness to God, was far more than a grasping of the truths, or facts of God. It was, and is, the very essence of eternal life: “…that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” (Jn. 17:3) The Apostle Paul would reveal to us the application of that true knowledge, when he wrote: “…that I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil 3:10) After the fall of man, with the depravation of the life of God by the Spirit, there came a new day, a new beginning, when Christ came. Fallen, believing men, became not only justified by faith, but by virtue of the working of the Spirit, received the very indwelling of Christ. The God of the Garden of Eden had come to dwell in the heart, that His power, and the attributes of His person, should be known and lived, for the glory of God. What is our assurance that this is so?
As is the case in all true seeking of an answer from God, it is in the word of God that the path of assurance is revealed. In Hebrews, chapter 4, we read: “Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (v.16) The first thing we need to see with regard to the nearness of God is that the God who is seated upon His throne of perfect power, and absolute authority, has ordained that man should come “boldly” before Him. How can little, sinful man, be called upon, much less have the assurance, to come before the Holy Creator, and Redeemer? The believer’s assurance, comes only by seeing the power and authority of God in providing such a way into His presence. Faith rests on the certainty of a promise. That promise deals with the acceptance by God, to commune with Him. It is a promise of meeting, where all is to be received. When Jesus died, shedding His blood on Calvary, He rose from the dead, and entered into heaven itself. He became the believer’s Great High Priest. He did this knowing and understanding the weaknesses, needs, and limitations of man. In accomplishing a perfect redemption for man, He also identified Himself with the frailty of men in a body. God in His authority and power has made Christ to be not only the mediator between God and man, but the one who encourages the believer to overcome all fear and hesitation, with regard to littleness, and need, to draw night to God, there to receive mercy, and grace, to meet every need. Christ’s bidding is for man to come to God.
In the tenth Chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, the author deals with another aspect and reason for “drawing near to God.” This time it is in the revelation of this High Priest preceding the believer into the holy presence of God, with His precious blood. In doing so, the believer comes to understand that Christ has alone, and forever, established a “new and living way,” consecrated for men, to draw near to God. God calls the believer to come always with full assurance of faith
Dear Father, Strengthen us to come with transparency, in full assurance of faith, truly drawing near to worship Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.