Ok, so here goes “guest blog post week”. The first person up is @prudychick. I’ve been talking to her on twitter for quite a while and really enjoy her conversation. I hope you do, too. She loves Jesus and Starbucks so she’s good in my book. BTW you can find out more about her on her website, http://www.prudychick.com –
Adam
I’ve been trying to think on the cross more and the impact of it on my life. I can say with certainty that I would not be who I am if it weren’t for the work accomplished there.
The other day I was thinking of the cross and my thoughts turned toward the tearing of the veil in the temple. In Exodus God commanded that a veil be made and hung in the Tabernacle. Exodus 26:33 says “And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.” When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden they separated not only themselves but the rest of humanity from God’s presence. The veil was a tangible thing that reminded the Israelites of that separation. The only access to God they had was through another man.
At the crucifixion of Jesus separation from God was literally torn in two. Jesus death permitted us to enter His presence. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need..” Not only can we come into God’s presence we can are able to come in boldness. and confidence. We no longer have to go through a man who is just as sinful as we are to “talk” to God. We can go directly to Him.
Have you entered the throne room of God lately? Do you approach out of requirement or longing to be near Him? I challenge you to enter boldly. It is at the greatest price that we are able to.
(All verses ESV care of www.youversion.com)
Another thing that came to mind was the veil that Moses had to wear. Moses was so visibly different after encountering God & the people were so blown away by Moses' radiance that he had to wear a veil. It seems like when the veil was torn in the temple that the veil we as God's people wear should have come down permanently as well. Yet how often do we wear a veil over our lives to keep people from seeing the transforming power of God in our lives? Or worse, how often do we wear a veil to disguise the fact that God isn't at work in our lives?
Good stuff, thought provoking
Great thought, not only should we enter boldly but pray that we be changed and walk out different. We all have things we deal with and each encounter should stretch and grow us in the areas that we need to mature in our faith walk.
Very true. We think that we can cover up ourselves when it comes to God, and He won't see the sins we think are hidden. We shouldn't be afraid to be transparent before Him.
Agreed. I think that as Christians we think that once we are saved the sanctification process just happens immediately, rather it is a like long process until we see Jesus face to face.
I enter boldly but sometimes, I will admit, I enter into God's presence when I am tired. That's when I come to God because I know it's the right thing to do, not because I want to necessarily. Once I get in it though, it becomes a want
sometime i wonder if i truly appreciate the privilege of entering the presence of a holy God. s
thanks for the reminder of the importance and honor of real worship.
Kinda like when you don't necessarily feel hungry until you smell a really good food or take a bite of something and then you're saying I didn't realize I was so hungry. We get so used to our day-to-day life and next thing we no some Bible verse or a worship song propels us to desiring to be in His presence.
I take it for granted so often. It is a true privilege to be able to go before the throne of the Almighty God, and on top of that to be able to call Him Father.
I have seen that when I come to God boldly, I usually get this brilliant word from Him, or something really happens to me, but more often than not, I tend to grovel more, and feel sorry for myself before God due to all the sins in my life.
Thanks for reminding us to enter into His presence with boldness.
What an awesome word!
If we truly realize the great price that was paid to open our access to the throne room, how could we not realize what an awesome privilege it is to do so? We have open and free access to the God of all creation – the Everlasting One and the Lover of our soul… yet we often take that access for granted, or worse, yet, don't even bother to take advantage of it.