Approaching God’s Throne with Confidence
In a world filled with uncertainty, it’s easy to feel unworthy and unaccepted in God’s presence. However, as John Owen (1616-1683) reminds us in his commentary on Hebrews 4:16, this mindset is far from the truth.
Removing the Fear of Unacceptance
Owen notes that people living under the law often fear God’s greatness and doubt their own worthiness. They become fearful and despondent, feeling like there’s no hope for them. But the apostle wants to remove this mindset, thanks to Christ’s high priesthood.
Approaching God with Freedom and Confidence
We’re instructed to approach God with confidence, which is our spiritual freedom. This confidence is accompanied by a holy boldness, allowing us to make our requests known to God freely and without fear. As Ephesians 3:12 reminds us, “In him [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
The Throne of Grace
But what does it mean to approach God’s throne? A throne is a seat of majesty, ascribed to God and men. In the Bible, heaven is often referred to as God’s throne, where He shows His glory and majesty. However, Owen notes that the Hebrews also spoke of a double throne: a throne of judgment and a throne of compassion. When we come to God in worship, seeking mercy and grace, we’re approaching His throne of compassion.
Encouragement to Come to God
The love and grace of God in Christ are represented at the throne of grace. Christ is our merciful, faithful, and caring priest, encouraging us to come to Him with confidence. As Hebrews 10:19 reminds us, we have “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” This is a clear reference to the place where the ark and mercy-seat were placed, representing God’s presence among His people.
A Call to Confidence
So let us approach God’s throne with confidence, knowing that we’ll be accepted because of Christ’s sacrifice. As Owen reminds us, Christ sits on God’s throne, and at His throne of grace, we may be sure of acceptance. Let us come to God with freedom and confidence, making our requests known to Him freely and without fear.
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