“…Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” Hebrews 10:19,22
Dear Ones:
In T. Brimney’s great hymn, ‘Eternal Light! Eternal Light!” he writes:
“There is a way for man to rise,
To that sublime abode;
An offering and a Sacrifice,
A Holy Spirit’s energies,
An Advocate with God.”
In one victorious and all-encompassing act, the Lord Jesus, entered into heaven itself, into that “more perfect tabernacle,” to appear in the presence of God for us. (10:24) In doing so, He entered “…by His own blood…once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (10:12) It is for this reason Scripture declares: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God?” (10:14) The same eternal Spirit that enabled the Lord Jesus to finish His work on Calvary, and raised Him from the dead, is that One, by whose “energies” we are enabled to approach the throne of God in Jesus’ name. Accepted by God because of the precious blood of Christ, coming in Jesus’ name, trusting the Spirit of God,…this is the basis and means of approaching God with a pure heart, in full assurance of faith. We have boldness because we are accepted in the Beloved, having peace with God.
The question then becomes, “If such an immutable way has been inaugurated, and maintained, by the King of Glory, is it not His will that it should be used well, often, and effectively?” If Christ has set us free from sin, guilt, and the powers of darkness, is it not that we should KNOW Him, love and serve Him, victoriously? What hinders us then? Why is the “way” not well used, and the opportunity grasped? Let us consider things in response.
The first consideration has to do with “hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.” The Psalmist declares: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Ps. 66:18) John writes, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” (1 Jn. 1:6) That which is essential to be bold, is to have a good, clean conscience before God. If there is a “cloud,” a point of conscience, where we know we are not walking by faith in Him according to the truth, then we shall not have confidence before Him. David wrote, “Thou desirest TRUTH in the inward parts.” (Ps. 51:6) There can be no contest with God on any issue.
Secondly, the author of Hebrews writes that we are to have our “…bodies washed with pure water.” (10:22) Does he mean that we are ceremonially required to take a bath, or wash our hands? The meaning is a spiritual one, which deals with belonging to God, and being “clean.” Not only must there be a good conscience before God, appropriating the power of the blood to cleanse thoroughly from sin, but also, to trust God for “a right spirit,” a renewed and restored spirit and mind. It is thus, in coming to God with “clean hands and a pure heart,” that we see ourselves as belonging to Him, cleansed and set apart by His Spirit.
Lastly, we are to “…hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” (10:23) In the book of Revelation, we see victorious believers overcoming the “accuser of the brethren …which accused them before God day and night.” (12:11) One of the essential elements of overcoming was the assertion, and resolute declaration of “the word of their testimony.” Here the believer has taken his stand, not to be moved from the sacred, eternal ground of the finished work of Christ. In having boldness with God…the whole of our assurance is founded upon the finished work of Christ, and the active ministry of salvation to our hearts by the Spirit of Christ.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see the enormity of Christ’s work, in its permanency and power. Reveal to us any cloud that may be between us, and deal with it, strengthening our hearts to come boldly. Give us to see and grasp the power of the precious blood of Christ to cleanse, and the power of the Spirit, to believe. We thank Thee and praise Thee, that we can come in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in full assurance of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad