Can we approach God? This week’s Bible study is a continuation of our study in the Book of Hebrews.  We’ll be examining chapter 4 verses 13 through 16, and the main theme is, can we approach God?

Last week we left off at verse 12 and it’s worth reviewing it in connection with verse 13; ¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Verse 13 is a continuation of verse 12 and it states, ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  These two verses are key to understand as the word of God convicts the sinner and expose his/her sins.  There is nothing that God does not see, and we cannot escape God’s oversight and authority.  Furthermore, we must take the word of God very seriously, as the Lord through the Bible is speaking to us directly.  It exposes our nature and calls us to repentance.  We must receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the New Covenant established by the Lord. 

During the time of the dispensation of the Law, the Law was given to Moses and the Israelites to portray man’s sinful nature.  There is not one law from the Ten Commandments that is not violated by the sinner at least once a day.  Hence, this proves that we cannot earn salvation through actions, and it’s Jesus who can offer us salvation through Grace.  If we truly want to call upon the Lord, and have Him speak to us, God will respond and is faithful to make reveal Himself to all who call upon the name of the Lord.  Here are a few verses that validate this:

Luke 11:9-10

⁹ “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Deuteronomy 4:29

29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Jeremiah 29:13

13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Thus, we must earnestly seek the Lord in order that God may make Himself known to us.  Otherwise, we can’t say God is far when we don’t genuinely desire to know Him.  This leads us to the next few verses, 14 through 16. ¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Now that we know that God is attainable, we must go to Him, His Son Jesus Christ for salvation.  Jesus acted as the Sacrificial Lamb and the High Priest for our salvation.  God has set an order and structure for His Kingdom, and the process/solution for the forgiveness of sin which begins with an intercessor – which is the reason why God ordained the priestly order of the Levites (Aaron first).  There were countless animal sacrifices made for man’s sins, however, it wasn’t until the Blameless/Sinless who came and offered Himself as the Final Sacrifice, that the problem of sin was once and for all resolved.  During the Old Covenant, God ordered that the priests perform animal sacrifices for the sins of man.  This process was performed daily and since the blood of animals could not permanently wash the sins of mankind, the only solution was the Son of God, the Only Begotten to be the sacrificial lamb.  Since Jesus was sinless, He could only perform this key task – which, once and for all resolved the issue of sin and restored mankind to God.  Obviously and to clarify, the relationship between man and God the Father is restored for all who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.  It’s for these reasons that you must repent of your sins and receive Jesus in order to have access to the Father.  Romans 10:9-10 states 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  This is the premise of salvation; repent and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

The last point regarding verses 14-16 is in verse 15.  Verse 15 teaches us that Jesus being fully God and fully man has experienced everything that we experience as people. Therefore, He sympathizes with our struggles and issues.  Jesus understands people and intercedes on our behalf to the Father.  This is a key factor in our salvation and why it is attainable and can occur the way it occurs.  God the Father is perfect and just; hence He detests sin.  However, since Jesus took on a human body and lived among people, He has direct experience and can identify with our problems.  Therefore, there is no sin that is too small or too big for Jesus to forgive.  The author of Hebrews boldly invites us to the throne of God to ask for forgiveness and the confidence that we have that Jesus will forgive and wipe away our sins as far as the east is from the west. 

So, can we approach God? The answer is absolutely WE CAN.  We can seek the Lord, repent of our sins, obtain salvation, and enjoy a beautiful relationship in fellowship with the Lord.  If you are ready to receive Jesus Christ, pray this prayer: Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and I ask that you forgive me of all of my sins.  I receive you as my Lord and Savior and ask that you dwell in my heart and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  From this day on, I turn away from all sin and seek to walk with you Lord.  I pray in Jesus name, Amen.