“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness with confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:8-12
The mystery of grace was hidden before Jesus came and died for us on the cross and rose again from the dead. I think it’s so interesting how often I forget this. It’s the truth, guys. If you’ve put your faith in Jesus, no matter what happens to you or what you’ve done, our reality is this: There is nothing that can separate us from the Love of Jesus our Lord. He awaits us to confidently walk into His presence and receive His help. We can’t do this on our own.
I feel like the fact that Paul has to emphasize this in Ephesians is because it’s a foreign concept to us in this world. Let’s face it, everywhere we turn we hear those lies from the enemy that God would never accept us the way we are. It’s a reality that tries to make you feel like there wasn’t a resurrection to begin with and that Jesus never really came. The truth is that Jesus did come. He did die and He was risen on the third day and that great chasm between us and God was broken. If you put your faith in Him, literally, you are adopted as His son or daughter as if the fall never happened! Through His amazing and abundant gift sacrificing His own life for us, our communication with Him can now be free, and pure, and wild, and full of love.
I can wake up and waltz with Jesus to the melody of praise around my kitchen in the morning as I prepare breakfast. I can come bawling hysterically when a patient or doctor has broken my heart at work in ways I wasn’t expecting or didn’t think possible. When my eyes or my mind have wandered into the realm of lust after earthly men, I can still come before Him wrecked and broken and lay in His arms as He anoints my open wounds with salve made from the beautiful words in His book.
It’s crazy how simple grace is. Literally, all I have to do is believe it. Thank you Jesus.
“For freedom Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Tamara V:)
