Day 3 of 21
How do we draw near to God?
"Let us draw near with a true heart" (Heb. 10.22). Based on what had been written, this was the heart of the invitation to those in the assembly who had not come to Christ. The same invitation is found in the first New Testament book to be written (James 4.8), where James reveals the corollary of drawing near to God. God will draw near to you. Asaph taught that it is a good thing to draw near to God (Ps. 73.28). The full restoration of Israel to God's blessing is dependent upon their drawing near to Him (Jer. 30.18-22). In other words, it is an eschatological invitation coming to them in "these last days" (Heb. 1.2). This verse describes the prerequisites for entering the presence of God (Ps. 15). sincerity, security, salvation, and sanctification. The Greek term behind "true" carries the ideas of being sincere, genuine, and without ulterior motive (Jer. 24.7; Matt. 15.8). This one thing these particular Hebrews lacked. genuine commitment to Christ.
"In full assurance of faith." Utter confidence in the promises of God is intended by the phrase. Such confidence will result in heartfelt assurance or security which will allow them to persevere through the coming trials. This is the first of a familiar triad. faith, hope (v. 23), and love (v. 24). "Having our hearts sprinkled…with pure water." The imagery in this verse is taken from the sacrificial ceremonies of the Old Covenant, where blood was sprinkled as a sign of cleansing, and the priests were continually washing themselves and the sacred vessels in basins of clear water. The "washing with pure water" does not refer to Christian baptism, but to the Holy Spirit's purifying one's life by means of the Word of God (Eph. 5.25, 26; Titus 3.5). This is purely a New Covenant picture (Jer. 31.33; Ezek. 36.25, 26).
Hebrews 10:22 NKJV
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
James 4:8 NKJV
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Psalms 73:28 NKJV
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord G od , That I may declare all Your works.
Jeremiah 30:18-22 NKJV
18 “Thus says the Lord : ‘Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound, And the palace shall remain according to its own plan. 19 Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. 20 Their children also shall be as before, And their congregation shall be established before Me; And I will punish all who oppress them. 21 Their nobles shall be from among them, And their governor shall come from their midst; Then I will cause him to draw near, And he shall approach Me; For who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the Lord . 22 ‘You shall be My people,
Hebrews 1:2 NKJV
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Psalms 15 NKJV
The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord A Psalm of David. 1 Lord , who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord ; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Jeremiah 24:7 NKJV
7 Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord ; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
Ephesians 5:25-26 NKJV
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
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