Longing to Make Known Because We Delight in Christ

January 18, 2018 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement

In Hebrews 4:16 we are commanded to “draw near to the throne of grace” with confidence. It’s a beautiful application after the writer has exalted the greatness of Christ as our high priest. Jesus has destroyed “the one who has the power of death” (2:14), delivered us who were “subject to lifelong slavery” (2:15), made “propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17), and is “able to help those who are tempted” (2:18).

The writer of Hebrews concludes, “since then we have a great high priest…let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (4:14, 16). Robust Christology breeds confidence. We are called to pray with boldness because we have such a great savior. Deeper understanding and enjoyment of Christ and his work on our behalf only fosters greater confidence in our relationship with God. We see this truth echoed in other New Testament writers in 2 Corinthians 3:12, Ephesians 3:12, and 1 John 2:28.

 Interestingly, the word confidence is used in the New Testament not only to speak about our relationship with God, but also our boldness in speaking about our faith. Consider these passages:

 Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.

 Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

 Acts 28:30-31 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

 Ephesians 6:19 and [pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

 Could robust Christology not only breed confidence in our relationship with God, but also confidence in our proclamation of the gospel?

 Why not?

 The second half of our mission statement at Oak Hills is longing to make known the astonishing grace of God. I propose that our longing to make known grows, and any hinderance to making known, such as shame or fear or laziness, fades as we delight in Christ all the more. The things that hinder our boldness are rooted in enjoying and valuing other things, like the approval of people, over Christ himself. As we dig into the boundless wonder of Christ and his work for us, our hearts are enflamed with greater delight. Longing grows, hinderances fade.

 Robust Christology breeds confidence to make known God’s grace.

 Let’s make 2018 a year where our understanding of and delight in Christ grows, longing to know and make known the astonishing grace of God.

 

 

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