One day, in my Bible reading, I came across Hebrew 7:19, about drawing nigh to God. This verse made me curious about other references to drawing nigh to God. I was surprised that there weren't many references. But, the verses that there are have a powerful message!
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,
as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Deuteronomy 4:7
Before
and after this verse in Deuteronomy 4 is a reminder to keep God's laws. For
Israel, the nearness of God was contingent on their obedience to Him. If they
kept His laws, He was nigh to them.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better
hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Hebrews 7:19
For
New Testament believers, we can draw nigh unto God because of the
"bringing in of a better hope." This verse alone explains that the
law, given in the Old Testament, given to Israel, was never able to make the
doer perfect. However, this "better hope" (which, in context of this
passage, is Jesus Christ) is able to
make one perfect. This "better hope" is what draws us nigh to God,
not our ability to keep His laws.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8
The
two verses prior help us to get the full picture of this verse: "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he
saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
(James 4:6-7)
We
are given the promise, "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to
you." But how does one draw nigh to God? I believe that Hebrews 7:19,
linked with James 4:6-8, gives us the answer:
1)
We can draw nigh only through Jesus Christ and His cleansing
2)
We can draw nigh only through humility--acknowledging that I cannot do it by my
own works and ability
3)
We can draw nigh only through submission--realizing that I can only draw nigh
by the process which God has placed before me
Drawing
nigh to God is not based on the works that I do (the more good works I do, the
closer I'll draw nigh). Rather, drawing nigh to God is based on submitting to
His way of drawing nigh: through humility, acknowledging that I cannot, of my own self, draw nigh to
God. Through submission, realizing that I must come under Christ's blood to draw nigh to God.
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