“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15
One of the greatest aspects of this salvation which God has provided for mankind is the unchangeable, eternal character of it. This concept of its unchanging character is founded, and revealed, in the personal, perfect work of Christ. In speaking of His own sacrifice, Christ’s words are so very clear: “Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me, ) to do Thy will, O God.” (Heb. 10:7) What is this WILL of God? It is that sacrifice of Himself to fulfill every aspect of the Law of God, to acquire for us a perfect righteousness, by which, when applied to the life, can save and sanctify the believer. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews writes further concerning the eternal character, not only of the sacrifice, but also of its confirmed and certain results. He writes: “…By the which WILL we ARE sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, ONCE FOR ALL.” (10:10) The eternal, immutable, character and nature of Christ’s finished work, by the offering of Himself, is revealed to weak, failing, sinful men. His work is FOREVER. We see this further illustrated by the following declaration: “…but this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins FOR EVER, sat down on the right hand of God.” (10:12) The whole basis for the redemptive work of God, of Christ on Calvary, is revealed to mankind as being perfectly complete, unchangeably true and worthy to be believed, and lastly, eternally established and set in heaven, with nothing in heaven or in the earth, which can alter or change it. This is the basis for the believer to grasp something of total cleansing from sin, having life by the Spirit, and knowing the reality of Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, by the Spirit. The writer of the epistle continues: “For by one offering He hath perfectd FOR EVER them that are sanctified.” The eternal work of Christ, when truly embraced, provides for the believer not only the assurance of sins forgiven, and life eternal, but an access that is just as real into the presence of God. How is this to be done, and known? We always come back to the Cross, and to God’s holy and provision in Christ.
In the tenth chapter of Hebrews, we read: “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.” (v.19-22) These words are addressed to “brethren,” those who have been born of the Spirit, and justified by faith in Christ. The intent of these words is to exhort all believers to seek profound fellowship with God that they have henceforth not known. He speaks of “boldness” to enter into the holiest. This place called the “holiest” is that inner most area of the temple where the Ark of the Covenant rested, remaining as a testimony to God’s covenant faithfulness. Only one priest, once a year, was allowed to enter into this place of greatest proximity to God. However, by Christ’s sacrifice, all the “brethren” have access to this place, not only being accepted by God there, but to commune with Him. This is God’s eternal provision, by the precious blood of Christ. It is the calling of every believer, to enter with “boldness,” reverential certainty and assurance, into that “secret” place of fellowship and proximity with God, there to know Him beyond measure.
The certainty of one’s experience of fellowship with God is to be is revealed in the words: “…Let us draw near with a true heart in FULL ASSURANCE of faith.” (v.22) The call to communion is a call to present certainty.
Dear Father, Draw near to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.