This
week we finished the “Oil & Water” series. In it, we examined major
contrasts between Old Covenant and New Covenant and how we cannot mix the two
together.
In
this final part we discussed the following contrast:
7)
OLD COVENANT: Law could not provide an intimate relationship with God.
NEW
COVENANT: We enjoy a close, intimate relationship with God through faith in
righteousness through Jesus.
Hebrews
4:12-16 illustrates this point. The key verse is verse 16, but going back to
verse 12 gives us a clearer context. Verse 12 is what I call one of the
“mission statements” of the Word. It says that the Word is living and active,
sharper than any double-edged sword and that it divides soul and spirit and
judges the thoughts and intents of the heart (my paraphrase). The Word shows
you the truth about who you are and what God wants you to be. In essence the
Word is your judge.
Then
in verse 13, we are told that everything is revealed to God’s sight. Nothing is
hidden, and we must all give account. Often, this verse is quoted without the 3
verses that follow it that give it context. We are left in fear that every
single thing about us will be called into question by God, and we will have to
give account. But, Pastor, that’s what it said!
Read on! The next verse (14) begins with “therefore.” Whenever you see a
therefore, you always back up a few verses to see what it is there for. So the
statement in verse 13 is a lead-in to verses 14-16. In other words, understand
that all are required to give account and based on that, you might want to know
what comes in these next verses.
Verses
14 and 15 tells us that we have a high priest (Jesus) who understands our
weaknesses, because He was a man tempted in every way that we are tempted. He
was without sin, and He offers Himself as the sin sacrifice for us. Then verse
16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” You could actually look at this passage this
way… you must give account, therefore approach the throne of grace…
There
is an account with a debt on it for your sins. If you approach the throne of
grace, that debt has been paid by Jesus, so you may approach confidently, in
faith, knowing you have no debt with God. If you choose instead to approach the
throne of law and works, you will still be condemned for every failing. You
then must account for every thought and action.
Understand that God does not have multiple thrones. He is on the throne
of grace, but the world has other thrones. If you attempt to approach God
through works, you will not find Him. He is not there. All you will find is
guilt and condemnation, and, ultimately, destruction.
Revelation
20:11-12 talks about the dead being brought before the throne of God for
judgment; however, it talks about there being many books AND the book of life.
Your judgment depends on which book your name is in. If it is in the book of
life, there is no judgment because your sin account was paid in full by Jesus,
but if your name is in the book of “I was a good person” or the book of “I did
it my way” or the book of “it’s all good,” you are in trouble. Anything but the
book of life is a book based on your works. If you are not in Christ, you are
left to justification by your works. Your works will NEVER be good enough.
But
let’s get back to the close, personal relationship and the confidence with
which we approach God. In 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Paul is discussing the higher
standard that those who influence the Body are held to. In this passage he
states that no one can judge him, and he makes a very profound statement in
verse 4. He says, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.” In order to stand before God confidently and
to be truly used by Him, we must get this same revelation. We will never be
innocent. We are human and, even with the best of intentions, we will still sin,
but because of the blood of Jesus, we can have a clear conscience. We should
not walk in guilt and condemnation for our sin.
As
I have stated before, guilt should only drive you to God to ask forgiveness.
Once you ask, receive it by faith and then do not stay guilty. We may think it
is honorable to walk around acknowledging your pitiful state. No…You are
forgiven. Walk like one forgiven. Paul understood that he needed to walk with a
clear conscience – not calling himself innocent (like one who thinks they have
obeyed all of the law), but forgiven. Going
back to Hebrews 4:16, we must understand that it is precisely because of our
sin and failings that we need that mercy and grace “in our time of need.” Those
things should not be stopping you from boldly approaching that throne of grace!
To listen to the entire sermon go to http://ahwatukeechurch.com/media.php. To learn more about Living Word Ahwatukee,
visit http://ahwatukeechurch.com/.
