The Absolute Privilege of Approaching God

 

Don’t you just love name droppers? You know the type. Your having a good conversation and then smoothly, intentionally, with discernable “aren’t I special” ness, just happen to mention that they had lunch with so and so actor, or they met so and so sports guru, etc. And sometimes you’ll find yourself being a little envious, if they are telling the truth of course. All of us think that it would be exciting to meet or have a conversation with any number of people that are famous or we’ve enjoyed their books or even really benefited from their teaching or preaching. But the vast majority of us will never have that opportunity. But think about it for a minute. In reality these people are not much different from you or I. No matter how famous, popular, or rich they happen to be they are no more important than you or I in the grand scheme of things. They are just people with the same fears, problems and expectations as many of us. And in the end, they too will stand before a Holy God and answer for the way they have lived their lives. Which brings us to the question at hand: Why do we get so excited about meeting these fellow creatures/sinners and yet seem so hum drum about approaching God? We take it so lightly and so much for granted that approaching God has almost become, dare I say it, “boring”. Do we not understand the absolute privilege that is ours to approach the Living God?

 

Considering who we are

Sometimes we seem to get way ahead of ourselves or think much to highly of ourselves. But the scriptures are very clear as to who we are, especially in comparison with God. King David understood this while contemplating creation:               

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are  mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”  Psa. 8:3-4

David understood where he stood in relation to his God. David was the creature, made from the dust of the earth. He saw himself as something insignificant when he compared himself with the rest of God’s creation. The magnificence of the universe made David seem to be of no consequence. If you’ve spent any time at all contemplating God’s creation you know exactly how David felt.

But not only are we creatures, we are fallen creatures. Once created in the image of God, enjoying perfect fellowship with our creator, that image in now marred with the reality of sin. Sin, that awful inherent part of our nature that too often drives a wedge between us and our Creator. Sin, that terrible thing that weighs us down and interferes with all aspects of our lives is ever present with us. Dealing with that part of us is an ever present battle that will continue to wage until we either pass from this life or see Jesus come in all His glory.

 “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:”  1 Peter 1:24

Considering who God is

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology makes an excellent point, “One does not define God”. Fallen man cannot truly know anything about God apart from revelation. God is so transcendent, so not like us, that anytime we try to conceive of Him apart from His revealing of Himself we wind up in some form of idolatry. This is why God, in His grace and mercy, gave us the scriptures. This is His revelation of Himself to man so that man can worship Him in “spirit and in truth”.

 

“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”  Isa 40:25

There is no one like God. He is absolutely holy, set high above His creation by His very nature and essence of being. “Holiness is what God is” (EDBT).  God is self-existent. He relies on nothing and no one for His existence. He knows all things. All things are held together by Him. Nothing in this world happens apart from His decree and knowledge. On and on God reveals Himself to us in His word. And in all this revelation, the overwhelming attribute that God reveals concerning Himself is His holiness. Why? Because therein lies man’s greatest need. God is holy, man is sinful. God is pure, man is filthy. This filthy sinfulness, which is man’s basic nature, has separated us from God.

 

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”  Ps 24:3-4

 

The Answer

God has provided a way so that sinful men can actually approach the throne of God! Man could not and can not do this of himself. Man is in bondage to his sin. He is a slave to his inherent nature. The only thing man can do is choose how he will sin against a holy God. God had to take the initiative in order for man to approach Him. If man were able to come to God, God would have to provide the way. Man is helpless in his sin. And God has done just that. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me.” It is through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that man can now come before a holy God. Jesus Christ did for sinful man what sinful man could not do for himself: Christ paid the full price for their sins on the cross. He bore the wrath of God upon himself, in sinful man’s place.

 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”   1 John 4:10

Do you see what God has done? He has placed the punishment for our sins on His Son. He poured out His wrath against sin upon His Son so that we could come to Him! So that by the imputed righteousness of Christ (Rom. 4:24) we can come before a Holy God and not fear His wrath nor bear the sting of shame. It is in His grace and mercy that He has done this.

 

Conclusion

Its not as if this is anything new to us. Its not as if we haven’t heard this before. The problem is that we have let it become all too familiar! We have taken it for granted! It is an absolute privilege for man to approach the throne of God. It is not to be taken lightly. It is not like talking with your neighbor or having a casual conversation with your best friend. It is sinful fallen man coming into the presence of an infinite, holy, righteous God by the imputed righteousness of the crucified Savior. The price paid for the permission to do this is of infinite value! Treat it as such. The next time you fall on your knees to talk with your Heavenly Father, remember that the only reason you can do this is not because of your good works, or because of your “morality”, but because a suffering Savior set his affections upon you and willingly, lovingly, and intentionally paid the price for this unspeakable privilege.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”    Heb 4:14-16

~ The Biblejunkie