Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The writer of Hebrews tells us how we can come into God’s presence. We are not able to come to God because of what we have done, or who we are. As we begin this journey of worship, It is vital that we realize that only through the blood of Jesus can we come into God’s presence. All throughout the Old Testament, when a priest would come into God’s presence, he always had to bring a sacrifice. God still requires a sacrifice when one comes into His presence. Jesus is our sacrifice. He allows us access into God’s presence. We can not come into God’s presence any other way than by Jesus and His blood, which was shed for us.
As we live a life of worship, we must understand that it is only through Jesus that we have access to God. We must also remember that we do have access to God. We can come to His very throne because of what Jesus has done on our behalf. Whenever we have a time when we feel like we are not good enough to come into His presence, we must keep in mind that we are never good enough to come to God. The only way that we have access to God is through the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice made for us! The writer tells us to encourage one another to continue pursuing God. There are times in the Christian life that we get weary and tired. We often need encouragement and sometimes we have to be ready to encourage someone else. What an awesome privilege we have that we can come to God because of what Jesus has done for us! Our motivation to worship God should come from two places. It comes from who God is and from what He has done. God is God. He is Lord, Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Healer, Judge, Protector, and King! This is who God is. WHat has God done for us? Jesus died for our sins. That is what He has done for us. He gave His very life when He stepped out of Heaven and walked on earth and died a sacrificial death for each one of us. We should be motivated to worship God with our entire lives because of this. This is a life of worship. Knowing that we can only come to God because of the blood of Jesus. We are never good enough for God. We didn’t earn a place in His throne room. It is from the very blood of Jesus, our Lamb, that gives us access to the Father.
- Have you entered into the dwelling place of God by the blood of Jesus? Or are you trying to earn your way to Heaven?
- When you get discouraged, do you stop spending time with God because you don’t feel like you are good enough for Him?
- Are you motivated to give your life to God because of what He has done for you?
Today, rejoice in the fact that the only reason you can come to God is through Jesus. It is not because of how good you are. Praise the Lord for Him allowing you to know Him.
A Pastor's Thoughts 