DRAWING NEAR

"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 New Covenant is a covenant of nearness–of living in the presence of the Lord. The effects of the vicarious atonement of Christ are described in this way: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph 2:13,NKJV). Being "far off" is being lost, unaccepted, and condemned. Being "brought near" is being saved, accepted, and justified.

The challenge for the believer is remaining "near"–not allowing the evil one to lure him away from God. There is a circumference of blessing, beyond which no Divine benefits can be realized. If Satan can entice us to leave that circumference, we will occupy the realm of the curse, be insensitive to God, and again be subject to grievous bondage.

Our text admonishes us to "draw near"–to come close to the Lord. It is as though we were placed just inside the circle of acceptance when we were born again: close enough to the world to be enticed back into it, yet within the realm where forward progress can be made. The life of the believer, from this perspective, is getting closer to the Lord and further from the world. There is no safety at a distance from the Lord!

The Spirit reasons with us concerning our ability to draw near. Our hearts are to be "true," unpretentious before Him who searches them (1 Chron 28:8). Our openness and humility are welcomed in the courts of heaven. As we draw near to the Lord, the value of faith is quickly seen. It simply is not possible to stand in the Lord's presence without having some degree of assurance–and faith gives that assurance to us. It is a "full" assurance, being persuaded those coming to Christ "will by no means cast out" (John 6:37,NKJV).

Then there is the matter of our conscience. The blood of Jesus is able to purge our conscience so we will not feel condemned in the presence of the Lord (Heb 9:14). This occurs when we have "faith in His blood," convinced the death of Christ has effectively dealt with sin (Rom 3:26). The cleansing of our conscience frees our hearts to draw near to the Lord with expectancy, and not in slavish fear. Notice, this is something that has already occurred. It only remains for your faith to see and grasp this reality, enabling you to draw near.

Our bodies have also been "washed with pure water," hereby qualifying us to come close to the Lord. This is a marvelous reference to our baptism "into Christ" (Gal 3:27). It was then, as we called upon the name of the Lord, He "washed away" our sins (Acts 22:16). In that simple act of obedience, we were freed from both the guilt and the power of sin (Rom 6:1-11). To put it another way, the very thing that stopped us from coming near was put away when our bodies were washed with pure water.

Now, what possible reason can be adduced for not drawing near to God, and doing it consistently?

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for clearing the way for me to come to You. Grant me grace to do so with zeal and consistency.

-- Monday: THE BEGINNING --