(Friends, we rarely send out a devotional on Sundays, but this one is ready to go. Thanks, Glen)
The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Throne of Grace"
We must have confidence in our relationship with God, based not on ourselves, but on the grace of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"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).
Many believers do not view themselves as worthy or adequate in their fellowship with our Heavenly Father. They base their access to Him on themselves, judging that their faith and faithfulness do not meet the test of walking with God. They are absolutely correct in their assessment. None of us ever so trust and obey God that we can approach Him by our own merits. We rather come through the merits of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Or we do not come at all.
"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).
This does not suggest that our trust and obedience does not matter. It certainly does (I John 3:22). However, from whence comes our faith and faithfulness? By the access God gives. Through Christ. Thus, whether in times of faithfulness or failure, our Heavenly Father beckons our approach by the only means He has given, to the only throne to which we can come:
"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; emphasis added).
We could not come to a throne of our own works. Or our own dedication. Or faithfulness. Or sacrifice. Or any merits of our own. We rather come through Christ's works, dedication, faithfulness, sacrifice, and merits. Thus, we can come always, so long as we make our approach with the exultant affirmation of the hymnwriter, "Nothing in my hands I bring, only to Thy cross I cling!"
Increasingly understanding this truth enhances our necessary confidence in relating to God. Indeed, if our Heavenly Father asks any saint in Heaven, "Why and how are you here?", the only response that suffices is for the saint to point to the Lord Jesus and say, "Because He is here." For believers still upon the earth, the same confession of faith applies. We come through the Lord Jesus with hands empty of our own works, but with a heart full of extolling His works on behalf of our Father and ourselves. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John 14:6).
Somewhere just now, a believer faithfully obeys God at great cost and sacrifice. Somewhere just now, another believer miserably fails God in unbelief and disobedience. Does one have more access to our Father than the other? If Christ is the sole means of approach to the blessedly titled "throne of grace," the answer is resoundingly, "No!" If the path of that throne is stained with the blood of Christ that makes possible all access, the answer is "No!" If the Lord Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession for them," the answer is "No!" If the faithful believer realizes his faith and obedience proceeded from visits to the throne to avail himself of the power of God, the answer is "No!" If the fallen believer remembers that redeeming and restorative mercy awaits as he approaches his Father in repentance and faith, the answer is "No!" Because the answer is "Yes!" regarding the person and work of our all sufficient Savior, whose sacrifice avails both now and forevermore for all who come to God by Him. Both the faithful and the fallen come to the throne by Christ. No other way exists. Nor do we need any other way. Confidence in our fellowship with God that leads to consecration and a more faithful life ever proceeds in this blessed light that shines from the blessed throne that beckons at all times, the throne of grace.
How can it be, o 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.
Oh it must be, it is! Thy throne of grace!
All 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)
Weekly Memory Verse
"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father".
(Ephesians 2:18)
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