12.6 Living at the throne of Grace & what prevents us from entering
In the Old Covenant, the High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple that separated the Holy of Holies was torn (Matt 27:51). The way to God was permanently opened to those who are in Christ. The Bible calls this a new and living way (Heb 10:20).
When Jesus entered heaven, the true Holy of Holies, He sat down at the Father’s right hand (Heb 10:12). Jesus is on the throne of grace. Eph 2:6 says that God “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Today, we are seated in the Holy of Holies in Christ.
This is a picture of the New Covenant believer who not only enters, but also lives perpetually in God’s presence. Psalm 91:1 says, “He who DWELLS in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…” We can experience dwelling in His presence by living a life of worship.
A Common Mistake that Prevents Us from Entering
There is a common mistake which many worship leaders commit, including myself in the past. We have a tendency to start off a worship service being sin-conscious and feeling unworthy to enter God’s presence. We see ourselves in tattered clothes instead of His robe of righteousness.
Unknowingly, some churches officially address themselves as “poor sinners” in the opening prayer, or they may enter into a sin-search which results in condemnation. We were sinners before we received Jesus, but now He has made us saints.
This is the identity problem in believers. Some of us still see ourselves in Adam instead of Christ. We become fearful to come before God as we see Him as a judge instead of our loving father. When we start off on that wrong footing, carrying the burden of condemnation, the rest of the worship service will be dampened.
If we see ourselves as unworthy sinners, we will still be sitting at the outer gate. We will not have the boldness to enter, or to remain in His presence. Beloved, have you experienced going through the motions in worship but felt like you did not contact Father God at the throne of grace? Sin-consciousness prevents us from entering God’s presence.
When Jesus entered heaven, the true Holy of Holies, He sat down at the Father’s right hand (Heb 10:12). Jesus is on the throne of grace. Eph 2:6 says that God “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Today, we are seated in the Holy of Holies in Christ.
This is a picture of the New Covenant believer who not only enters, but also lives perpetually in God’s presence. Psalm 91:1 says, “He who DWELLS in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…” We can experience dwelling in His presence by living a life of worship.
A Common Mistake that Prevents Us from Entering
There is a common mistake which many worship leaders commit, including myself in the past. We have a tendency to start off a worship service being sin-conscious and feeling unworthy to enter God’s presence. We see ourselves in tattered clothes instead of His robe of righteousness.
Unknowingly, some churches officially address themselves as “poor sinners” in the opening prayer, or they may enter into a sin-search which results in condemnation. We were sinners before we received Jesus, but now He has made us saints.
This is the identity problem in believers. Some of us still see ourselves in Adam instead of Christ. We become fearful to come before God as we see Him as a judge instead of our loving father. When we start off on that wrong footing, carrying the burden of condemnation, the rest of the worship service will be dampened.
If we see ourselves as unworthy sinners, we will still be sitting at the outer gate. We will not have the boldness to enter, or to remain in His presence. Beloved, have you experienced going through the motions in worship but felt like you did not contact Father God at the throne of grace? Sin-consciousness prevents us from entering God’s presence.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 11:19 PM
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