"The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"The Throne of Grace"
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
It is good that Scripture refers to the throne we approach in terms of grace.
Were it a throne of obedience, we could not approach.
Were it a throne of works, we could not approach.
Were it. throne of discipline, we could not approach.
Were it a throne of dedication, we could not approach.
Were it a throne of consistency, we could not approach.
Only a throne of grace, God's freely given favor in the Lord Jesus Christ, can beckon us to come with confidence and assurance. This does not discount the obedience, works, discipline, dedication, and consistency that can and must characterize the believer's walk with God. All of these fruits should be resident in our hearts and lives. However, they are fruits. They cannot serve as the root. Only the Lord Jesus occupies that place and position, and only He provides our acceptance and access to the aptly titled throne of grace.
"He hath made us accepted in the Beloved… through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 1:3; 2:18).
Our spiritual enemies incessantly tempt us to view ourselves as the Vine rather than as branches, hearkening back to the devilish deception of Eden - "ye shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5). Thankfully, the Spirit of God and Word of God incessantly work to direct our faith unto the Root, who alone infuses us with the enabling to bear fruit. "I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
The believer yearns deeply within to trust and obey God. "I delight in the law of God after the inward man" (7:22). Time and experience, however, tell us it is not enough to simply desire faithfulness. There must be power. And there is. "We shall live with Him by the power of God… Christ, the power of God" (II Corinthians 13:4; I Corinthians 1:24). Time and experience also bear witness not of our faithfulness, but of God's perfect trustworthiness. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of the Christian life is surprise. "How am I doing this? How did I do this?" Or, as a friend once said, "We stand on the sidelines cheering Someone else, even though it appears that we scored the touchdown." "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (I Corinthians 1:31).
Consistent and frequent visits to the throne - the throne of grace - confirm and enhance our awareness that we come through Christ, or we do not come at all. Our works matter much - as fruit. His works matter infinitely more - as the root that bears us, infuses us with life, and empowers every genuine step of faith and faithfulness. Only a throne of grace can beckon us to "come boldly," that is, with a confidence based solely on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus.
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-pierced 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!
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
(Romans 5:1-2)
Weekly Memory Verse
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
(II Corinthians 9:8)
7358
No comments:
Post a Comment