Seeking Things Above

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

What does it mean for the believer to “seek things above,” even coming before the throne of grace?  It means that we are to seek things that are not of this world, but those things that are found in heaven, in Christ. It is a most remarkable truth and reality that the believer is called upon by God to draw near to God “in heaven,” as the author of the book of Hebrews writes: “…having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (10:19) The believer, because of the most extraordinary work of Christ, not only winning for him a perfect salvation, but opening up heaven itself, provides access to the Father in Jesus’ name, by the Spirit.  In order for the believer to approach God in this manner, he must see that “Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (9:24) Scripture tells us further that, “…by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (9:12) Why is this fact so very important to the believer’s understanding, and that believing God has given him access to the Father, to His very throne of grace?

When Jesus was crucified, Matthew recounts in his gospel that, “…when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit.” (27:50) In the gospel of Luke, he adds that when in the last moments on the cross, Jesus “when He had received the vinegar, He said, ‘It is finished.” (19:30) It is at this moment, the moment that He died, that a tremendous, and yet, very discreet thing occurred in the temple in Jerusalem.  Matthew writes: “And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” (27:51) This physical veil represented a separation between sinful man and a holy God, but also, a separation between a nearness to God in communion before the crucifixion, and the nearness of God in that communion afterwards.  The day Christ died, the separation was taken away.  Because of the perfect salvation that Christ accomplished that day, the saved believer, was ushered into the very holy presence of the Father, IN CHRIST, because of His precious blood, and the eternal Spirit.  From that moment to this very day, it is IN Jesus’ name, that proximity, or nearness to God is a blessed reality to be known. The call to every believer is not only to KNOW God, but to KNOW Him well, by the Spirit.  Access to the very throne of grace today has been secured by the blood of Christ, His sacrificial life, and His present ministry before the Father on behalf of the redeemed.  So, how is the believer to approach God, seeking those things which are above, that they should be revealed in this earth for His glory?

The first thing is that he is to “Enter His (God’s) gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: (to)be thankful unto Him and bless HIs name.” (Ps. 100:4) The certain, eternal access to God that Christ has provided at such a cost, must be acknowledged with thanksgiving and praise.  Secondly, he is to come, holding fast his profession, declaring his faith in God, even though in doing so, realizing his needs before God.  In spite of the believer’s littleness, he is not to waver but to look unto Jesus, trusting Him for the boldness to come to the Father, not only and primarily to worship, but to pray, intercede, to seek the blessings on high, in Christ.  Why? The calling of every child of God is to come boldly, seeking Him for the bestowal of His blessings, so that many will come through to a saving knowledge of Christ, for His glory and honor.

Dear Father, Strengthen us to come.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.