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T h e K i n g ’ s B us i n e s s
August 1932
c J lu c l ie s in ik e EPISTLE lo A HEBREWS . . . B y J ohn C. P age
These two basic facts of the sacrificial blood of Jesus and His ever-living presence in heaven, must become a reality in our spiritual consciousness if we are to enter into communion with God and draw near in intercession for the people of God. When these truths are made real and operative by the power of the Holy Spirit, the believer stands fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free, and he is ready to respond to the exhortation and the instruction that follows. T he F irst A ppeal “ Let us draw near.” This is first not only in the order of presentation, but in the order o f experience also. It is a matter of primary importance and must not be neglected. If we do not learn to “ draw near,” we shall not be able to “ hold fast,” and if we do not “ hold fast,” we shall never be at leisure in our own souls to “ consider one another.” Therefore the Word gives us further instructions concern ing the matter of drawing near to God. “ Let us draw near with a true heart,” that is, a heart imbued with the truth. It is not a matter of emotion or disposition or moods, nor is it necessary to work up a pious feeling. The heart is de livered from doubt and fear by the power of the truth, not by religious excitement. The truth already considered concerning the blood of Jesus as the High Priest over the house of God has emancipating power. When our hearts are imbued with the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, we can indeed draw near to God in the full assurance of faith. T h e n e x t it e m o f instruction deals with conscience. The word “ evil,” in verse 22, might better be ren dered by the word “ accusing.” Conscience accuses the heart of sin. The heart finds its refuge from an accusing conscience at Calvary. Faith has sprinkled the blood and knows the truth o f 1 John 1 :7, “ If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” To go forward in the full belief of the truth of this scripture is the one thing needful. A third item of instruction is found in the words, “ our bodies washed with pure water.” This refers to the laver at which the priests washed before entering upon the daily service of God. We, too, must be cleansed by the washing of water through the Word from all spiritual defilement contracted along our pilgrim way. Compare this with 1 John 1 :9 and 2 Corinthians 7 :1. These two verses are of value in this connection. Do not pass them by without a careful reading. T he S econd A ppeal Not only must we draw near in faith, but we must also “ hold fast the confession of our hope.” It is not difficult to hold fast if we have learned to draw near. The Christian believer who fences off a bit of time each day to draw near to God in the reading of His Word and in prayer will be renewed by the Holy Spirit and enabled to hold fast the confession of his hope without wavering. The word “ faith” in verse 23 is, in the Revised Version, changed for the word “ hope.” This is a more accurate translation, although the sense is not essentially different. Salvation is a matter o f hope as well as of faith. It has a future, as well as a present aspect. In verse 37, we find that future aspect
HEBREWS 1 0 :1 9 -3 9 he threefold appeal in verses 22 to 24 is the culmi nation of all that has preceded. A hearty and intelligent response to this appeal will lead to a satisfactory spiritual experience and a well-balanced Christian character. The threefold appeal is to “ draw near . . . in fulness of faith,” to “ hold fast the confession of our hope,” and to “ consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.” Faith, hope, and love, these are the qualities that adorn a true Christian life, making it both attractive and effective. We might use the words of Peter and say, “ If these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Other things being equal, it will be found that the finest moral and spiritual fruit grows on the tree of sound doctrine. If the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ as the High Priest of His people is received and yielded to, it will produce the beautiful qualities of faith, hope, and love in the daily life. T he B asic F acts Before considering this threefold appeal in verses 22 to 24, we must notice the two facts in verses 19 to 21, on which the appeal is based. From verse 19, we learn that we have “ boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” ; and in verse 21, we are taught that we have “ an high priest over the house [or family] of God.” What more can be needed ? Such a provision gives us access 40 God with boldness. This word boldness is significant. It denotes outspokenness, or access without restraint. Such a privilege was impossible under the old covenant. To a godly Jew, it would seem almost irreverent and imperti nent. At Sinai, the people stood “ afar off” by divine appointment. Only a chosen representative could draw near to God, and he must come in a divinely appointed way. This idea of distance from God pervades the whole Le- vitical economy. The reason is obvious. The holiness of God on the one hand, and the nature of sin on the other, must be recognized and understood by the people. “ Your sins have separated between you and your God.” This statement of fact was demonstrated every day in the sacri ficial system of the Old Testament, and to this fact con science sets its seal. But over the gulf created by sin, a bridge has been built in the shape of a cross, and now it is written of all believers, “ Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2 :13). Hav ing thus been made nigh, we have “ boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” It is not the boldness of presumption or of ignorance or of recklessness, but a boldness that recognizes the holiness of God, that admits His righteousness, believes in His gracious provision, and rejoices in His righteous salvation. In this attitude, the believer draws near to God with unrestrained expression of aspirations and needs. This holy boldness is strengthened by the fact that our High Priest is there and that “ he ever liveth to make intercession for them that come unto God by him.” He has opened for us and to us this new and living way. Let us, there fore, come boldly to the throne of grace that we may ob tain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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