Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 (AMPC) Today’s verse says that you can go boldly to God as a believer, even when you mess up. What do you get when you go to him? Well, it doesn’t say that you get judgment. When you come boldly to God’s throne of grace, you get mercy. What is mercy? When you mess up, instead of the punishment you deserve, you get forgiveness instead. You’re a child of …
He Runs To Your Cry
For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. Hebrews 2:18 (AMPC) Hebrews 2:16–18 is a great piece of scripture to study. First it mentions the fact that God made a plan to help mankind out of the fallen state we found ourselves in (which was the result of Adam’s decision) and into right standing with him. Although a group of God’s angels had also fallen, he didn’t make a similar plan for them. He only did that for us! Then it talks about Jesus in verse 17. It says, …
Loving The Good Life
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) Over the years, I’ve talked to many people who were struggling to overcome something in their lives. Some have such trouble handling anger that they are tempted to commit murder. Others worry to such an extent that it has taken over their lives. Some struggle with addiction and don’t believe they’re ever going to be set free. They feel like they’re always going to want it so badly that it’s all they’ll ever think about, day in and day out. They think that even if they drum up enough willpower to stop doing it, they’re still going to want to do it. While that kind …
Only His Grace
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (NIV) The fact that Adam sold us out really ticks me off. I’m not saying I could have done any better, but it’s mind-boggling to think that one man’s choice to choose Satan over God ushered in all sickness, pain, hurt and loss in this world. And ever since then, mankind has been dealing with the aftermath. The problem is we often try to overcome the wrong way. For example, many religious teachers try to shame the sin out of people. This just brings …
He Understands
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Hebrews 4:15 (AMPC) Does Jesus really know how you feel? It’s hard to imagine that he could relate. I mean, he’s the Son of God, right? How could he know what it feels like to be a human being walking the planet? Actually, he knows exactly how that feels. As we discussed yesterday, Philippians 2:5–7 says that Jesus limited himself by walking the planet as a human being filled with Holy Spirit. Although he was the Son of God, he was …