November 15th 2008

Hebrews 12: 14 - 29

Taking a look at the NIV, New American Standard and the New Living Translation helped me get a fuller perspective of this dense passage. It resonates to me most about what holiness implies for us.

I'm grateful that it is by Jesus' sacrifice alone I am holy. I am amazed that grants me an audience among angels in the King's court, to be before Father God and Jesus our Intercessor. Full-on access compared to cower-in-fear-lest-thee-be-striked access.

Note that this is not about when we go to heaven, this is about when we're on earth! We just might not sense it. I wonder if God asks us to pursue holiness so that we may sense and see it more...

I'm also grateful that the grace of God is for everyone regardless of the type of mistake. There is nothing His grace can't cover and He will hold me in His right hand (Psalms 20:6, 60:5, 63:8 and more). I just need to remember that I need to ask for it when the time comes.

Being holy is powerful and I have yet to wrap my mind around all of it. But praise God that holiness gives us access to Him and a citizenship in a kingdom that is indestructible. What an awesome Abba, Father we have.

Questions for you to consider:
* Are there things in your life that you're bitter about? Write them down, confess them and ask for forgiveness. If you're having difficulty over these things, come talk to us and we'll pray and stand with you.
* Do you know that you are holy and that you have face-to-face access with God? Are you scared? If so, why?
* God cares extremely about two "our firsts" - our purity and our birth rights. Are we respecting and honoring them as He asks us to?
* Meditate on the grace of God.