July 22, 2022
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession, for we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
The throne of grace implies the existence of a kingdom of grace, for a throne implies a kingdom. Jesus often used the phrase kingdom of heaven in His parables as a way of expressing the work of divine grace within the human heart. Immediately after the fall in the Garden of Eden, the kingdom of grace was instituted. Adam and Eve were clothed and given the hope and promise of the Savior who would come and die the death of total separation from God in their place.
This plan of redemption had been conceived before the foundation of the world, but in order to make it understandable, God came to the frightened, hiding sinners and attended to their greatest need. They received a “stay of execution” which allowed them the opportunity to exercise faith in God’s promise, to have children and to pass along the Good News of the coming Savior. In this scenario is the first hint of two types of death, later called first and second (see Revelation 2:10-11).
Still today, one of the most urgent needs among people is a clear understanding regarding death. Satan would have us to believe that there is no such thing while at the same time leading us toward the second death, an eternal death from which there is no resurrection.
Apart from grasping death’s reality, as stated early in Scripture and repeated countless times, we cannot possibly appreciate God’s power over death. Without the reality of death, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead loses its meaning. Unless death is real to us, we cannot appreciate the extent to which He traversed to free us from its power, nor can we properly appreciate His precious promises. These promises are for the future world, totally cleansed from sin.
But in the kingdom of grace, which began just after Adam and Eve sinned, the promises are at work now in our hearts in a process called sanctification to continually prepare us to see Him and live! Understanding the reality of death gives us a deep appreciation for His mercy applied to all of our past sins and shortcomings, and also for His grace freely given to lift us above the snares that the enemy continues to set for us. The kingdom of grace is now! Come boldly to the throne of grace, beloved, and claim that which He desires to give you: grace to overcome the deadly and deceptive virus of sin.
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 1 John 2:24-26