The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(a repeat from 2020)
"The Throne of Grace"
"Let us come boldly to the Throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
We do well to give thanks that the Heavenly throne to which we approach in prayer is a "Throne of grace." No other throne of God could possibly provide hope for our access.
Were it a throne of works, we could not approach. Were it a throne of dedication, we could not approach. Were it a throne of consistency, we could not approach. Were it a throne of good intentions, we could not approach. Were it a throne of holiness, we could not approach. Were it a throne of anything other than the grace of God's freely given favor in Christ, we would have no hope whatsoever of relationship and fellowship with God. "We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).
The reason for this narrow path to God involves His character, nature, and way.
"As for God, His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31).
We must either approach our pristinely perfect Heavenly Father with an unspotted record from the moment of conception until now, or by the completely unspotted record of Another. We come by our own merits - which must be perfect, but are not - or we come by the merits of the Lord Jesus - which must be perfect, and are. The former possibility provides no possibility at all. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The latter promises assured access for all who come to the Throne affirming with the hymnwriter, "Nothing in my hand I bring, only to Thy cross I cling!"
"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).
Grace beckons the most faithful saint currently living on the planet, "Come, but come only by the freely given access made possible by the Person and work of the Lord Jesus." Grace also beckons the most failing saint currently living on the planet, "You can come also in repentance and faith by the same freely given access made possible by the Person and work of the Lord Jesus." Our works, dedication, and good intentions, important as they are as the fruit of the Holy Spirit, offer no passage to a Throne accessed solely by grace through faith. The Lord Jesus categorically stated such blessed but solemn truth: "no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). Yes, as we approach the royal seat of God, we do well to rejoice that it is indeed a Throne of grace.
How can it be, Lord,
that You call me to this place,
to gaze upon Your face?
Oh, it must be, it is! Thy Throne of grace!
I see the Blood-stained way,
that nail-scarred Feet have traced.
I hear the Spirit call, o come unto this place!
It must be, it is! Thy Throne of grace!
Other paths my broken feet would stay,
I could not come by any other way.
No other access could I find to this blessed and holy place.
Oh, it must be, it is! Thy Throne of grace!
"Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him."
(Ephesians 3:11-12)
"Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
(Isaiah 55:1)
Weekly Memory Verse
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."
(I John 4:9)
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