Confident to Enter God's Presence
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God’s Internal Work in Believers
Since the beginning, we humans have invested a lot in our outward appearance. The first man and woman covered their shame of nakedness with fig leaves. Today, we Americans spend a lot of time and money on stylish clothing, even for work clothes. The focus on fitness, from physical exercise to special supplements, is a multi-billion dollar industry.
A lot of sayings speak to this tendency — ” Beauty is only skin deep,” “Don't judge a book by its cover,” or “A house is not a home.” Yet we spend a lot of time and money on skin products and houses! Most of us focus more on external things, but what's on the inside matters more than the outside.
This is even more important when you think about God and your spiritual life. God always looks at the heart, the inner person, not what we present to others. This has always been true with the Lord.
Many people believe God won’t accept them unless they first clean up their lives. But they are mistaken. God works from the inside out. Just the opposite of us. God opens the way into His presence to those who ask and trust Him to clean their lives up.
God begins His work in our hearts, our inner spiritual beings. This is what the term sanctification represents. Sanctification describes the internal work of God, by His Spirit, which brings transformation in a person. This internal work of God’s Spirit in a believer changes their whole life.
Scripture Text
With one sacrifice he accomplished the work of setting them apart for God forever.
The Holy Spirit tells us the same thing: “This is the promise that I will make to them after those days, says the Lord: ‘I will put my teachings in their hearts and write them in their minds.’ ” Then he adds, “I will no longer hold their sins and their disobedience against them.” (Jer 31:31-34) [vss 14-17]
When sins are forgiven, there is no longer any need to sacrifice for sins. Brothers and sisters, because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place. [vss 18-19] (Hebrews 10:14-19 GW)
[Context– Hebrews 10]
Key Phrase —
Because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place.
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
What has Jesus done forever and how was this done?
How does the Holy Spirit confirm this work of God?
For how long will "their sins and their disobedience" be forgiven?
What are we able to do because of the blood of Jesus and why is this true?
Things to Consider—
God intends for His truth to live and remain in our hearts, as well as in our minds. This is true when a person accepts God's perfect forgiveness through the perfect reconciliation made by the Lord, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice (atonement).
Being "set apart...forever" is God's work. It's not based on any effort from us, but on the gracious gift of God. The blood of Jesus, through His death on the cross, cancels the debt and power of sin for those who accept its powerful work.
The presence of God, through the Holy Spirit who is given to dwell in us when we experience new birth, continues this work of setting us apart for God and His purposes (see Titus 3:4-7). This purifying work of the Holy Spirit continues in genuine believers as we live by faith.
We are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16 GW)
This is why a genuine believer has the confidence to enter the presence of God, formerly represented by the Holy Place. The blood of animals in the atonement under the Old Covenant brought forgiveness for a year. But the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness forever—once and for all (Hebrews 9:14).
If you are a genuine believer in the Lord, be confident to enter God’s presence with full assurance of God’s forgiveness when you pray and worship the Lord.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
How is this prophetic promise of forgiveness connected to Christ's once and for all sacrifice?
When we have full forgiveness of our sins, what does this tell us about how to handle guilt and shame?
Do you have this confidence to go into the very presence of God?
How would you explain this blessing of entering God's presence in your own words (IYOW)?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
