"A New and Living Way"

Our approach to God does not and cannot begin with ourselves, our sensibilities, or our own doings (past, present, or future).

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

The person, sensibilities, and works of the Lord Jesus Christ are our access to God. Who is He? What is His attitude and perspective, and what is the attitude and perspective of God the Father toward Him? What has He done, what is He doing, and what will He be doing forevermore for His trusting children? These are the components of the "new and living way" paved by our Savior, and the holy means whereby we come to the throne so perfectly entitled "the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).

This does not mean that our own attitudes and doings are inconsequential, or that we can make our approach to God with frivilous disregard to genuine devotion. The Christian life is the most serious of all matters, and authentic relationship with our Heavenly Father requires great sincerity and solemnity. The question, however, is what creates this purity of motive and attitude in us? Remembrance and affirmation of who the Lord Jesus is, and His holy doings on our behalf is the blessed purifier of the heart that graces our access to God with the sincerity it deserves.

"I am the way" declared our Lord (John 14:6). There is no other, and in our best times and our worst times, we may come to God so long as we come through Christ. Pride, insincerity, and callous disregard to the glory of God will fall away as we may our approach along the Blood-stained path to the throne. Indeed, our Lord's grace and mercy is such that we are changed into His image by the very fact of our coming to God in His name, and by His person, merit, and work. Forevermore we will come by this grace and truth that affirms not ourselves, but the Christ who has justified us and who "ever liveth to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25).

"Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him."

(Ephesians 3:11-12)