‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’
Hebrews 4:16.
Confidence.
Do you have confidence when you approach God?
We are invited into the very throne room of God, and told we can approach the very throne with confidence. Isn't that incredible?
I don’t know how many of you have been to a throne before, or even into a palace (I haven’t), but these places are set aside for royalty. They are grand and demonstrate something of the wealth and importance of the ruler. They are the private residence of the king and queen, places where only the powerful and privileged are invited, and that’s just the palace in general. The throne room is a special place within the palace, a place where even only a few of the privileged enter. It's a place for some serious commands and decisions to take place with the trusted few. Very few people are allowed entry, not many have the permission or are qualified to get a place in the throne room. Yet, here, in Hebrews, we are told we can approach our God the highest King in His throne room in confidence.
It’s serious business to enter the throne room, yet, you’re allowed in. You have a free backstage pass that allows you into the most defining area of the kingdom, and you don’t even have to crawl in or be in fear for your life because you have permission to enter. Not only do you have permission, but your actually invited! You can approach God’s almighty presence as He sits on the throne with your head held high in confidence! WOW!
Doesn’t that amaze you? That you have permission to enter the greatest throne room?
You haven’t done anything to deserve that honour, in fact, you’ve probably done plenty to be kicked out! But, the fact remains that you are free to enter the throne room of God. What a privilege and what a gift!
The only reason you have this honour is because the son of God, Jesus, invites you. When you believe and trust in Jesus, and acknowledge his sacrifice and resurrection, when you repent and give Jesus the leading role in your life, then Jesus vouches for you. He passes onto you the privilege and honour that he enjoys. This is how you can enter the great throne room of God in confidence because Jesus has made the way for you.
So, enjoy your privileged access to the throne room. As you pray, remember that you are connecting with God on His throne.
Showing posts with label privilege. Show all posts
Showing posts with label privilege. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 May 2020
Thursday, 26 March 2020
servant or son?
At the beginning of Hebrews 3 we see a great comparison of two great men of faith - Moses and Jesus.
The writer shows that both of these highly thought of religious figures were faithful in the house of God.
They were both obedient and faithful. Both are worthy of glory, they are honoured and revered by others. They both conversed with God and had a significant relationship with Him. They both have been essential in building up the household of God through their service and unending faith in God. They both knew who they were, their roles and responsibilities and they recognised the privilege they had in the household. Both Moses and Jesus were all in.
With so much similarity - what actually differentiates these two men?
One is a servant, the other a son.
Moses knew who he was, he knew he was a servant, and he accepted the role and lived it well. He enjoyed the benefits of the household but realised the limits of his capacity. He served whole-heartedly and enjoyed a close confidential relationship with the master.
Moses was a great precursor to Jesus. He showed as best he could, how to be a part of the household of God. He was faithful and worthy, a honoured member of God’s house, but no matter how great and magnificent a servant he was, he could never own the house or gain the recognition a son does. Moses earned his position through faithful service, obedience and bravery. A servant earns their recognition and authority through acts of service whereas a son is born with it.
The son of God, Jesus, is not only born with authority, but he carries the very DNA of God and shares the same characteristics. The son carries the essence of the father inherently. As the son of the master, he is born to govern and serve and so carries a different authority and standing in the household than a servant.
However this in no way diminishes the role of the servant. A faithful servant is still a revered, loved and trusted servant. It is just that the role and responsibility of a servant and a son differ. Moses could in no way attain the glory of son-hood. Yet, those who trust and believe in Jesus can.
If you know Jesus is the son of God, and you place your life in his hands, as he placed his own life into the hands of the human race, and you know that he died as an innocent man with the weight of your sin on his shoulders, then rose again to prove that he truly is God, and he truly can absolve you of every nasty thing you’ve ever done - if you believe in all of that, then you have the blessed privilege of being in God’s household, not as a servant, but a son.
Are you living in the knowledge that you are no longer a servant but a son?
Do you take seriously the responsibility you have for God's household?
Are you accessing the privilege of access and relationship you are entitled to?
The writer shows that both of these highly thought of religious figures were faithful in the house of God.
They were both obedient and faithful. Both are worthy of glory, they are honoured and revered by others. They both conversed with God and had a significant relationship with Him. They both have been essential in building up the household of God through their service and unending faith in God. They both knew who they were, their roles and responsibilities and they recognised the privilege they had in the household. Both Moses and Jesus were all in.
With so much similarity - what actually differentiates these two men?
One is a servant, the other a son.
Moses knew who he was, he knew he was a servant, and he accepted the role and lived it well. He enjoyed the benefits of the household but realised the limits of his capacity. He served whole-heartedly and enjoyed a close confidential relationship with the master.
Moses was a great precursor to Jesus. He showed as best he could, how to be a part of the household of God. He was faithful and worthy, a honoured member of God’s house, but no matter how great and magnificent a servant he was, he could never own the house or gain the recognition a son does. Moses earned his position through faithful service, obedience and bravery. A servant earns their recognition and authority through acts of service whereas a son is born with it.
The son of God, Jesus, is not only born with authority, but he carries the very DNA of God and shares the same characteristics. The son carries the essence of the father inherently. As the son of the master, he is born to govern and serve and so carries a different authority and standing in the household than a servant.
However this in no way diminishes the role of the servant. A faithful servant is still a revered, loved and trusted servant. It is just that the role and responsibility of a servant and a son differ. Moses could in no way attain the glory of son-hood. Yet, those who trust and believe in Jesus can.
If you know Jesus is the son of God, and you place your life in his hands, as he placed his own life into the hands of the human race, and you know that he died as an innocent man with the weight of your sin on his shoulders, then rose again to prove that he truly is God, and he truly can absolve you of every nasty thing you’ve ever done - if you believe in all of that, then you have the blessed privilege of being in God’s household, not as a servant, but a son.
Are you living in the knowledge that you are no longer a servant but a son?
Do you take seriously the responsibility you have for God's household?
Are you accessing the privilege of access and relationship you are entitled to?
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