I have noticed that when I am out of my comfort zone, the sin and junk in my heart tends to rise to the surface. I don’t know about you, but I don’t really like to acknowledge the bad things, the ugly things that have a hold of me. To be honest, I am not sure the last time I really stopped to analyze this. As I have been here at training in Colorado, spending more focused time with The Lord and being pushed outside of my normal boundaries, I have been more brokenhearted over this sin in my life.
Yesterday at church the sermon was focused on Jesus Christ, our High Priest. It was the perfect topic to follow-up on the things God has been teaching me. The law came to reveal sin but did not provide an answer for sin or a way to break the bondage. That is why Jesus came. God, in the flesh of Adam, living here on earth and satisfying the law. Jesus, who lives now and intercedes on our behalf and invites us into the throne room of grace. Wow!
My sin should still break my heart, but my eyes should not just stop at looking inward. Instead, the sad state of my heart should turn my eyes to Jesus. If it were not for his sacrifice, if it were not for his grace, this would be the end. I would live this way for eternity. But He provides not only salvation but tender discipline (although it doesn’t always feel so tender). He wants us to be more like him and so he doesn’t leave us to wallow in our sinful state. He transforms us through his Word, through others in our lives around us, through daily obedience to His Holy Spirit.
The song “Before the Throne of God Above” is so perfect as I continue to reflect on what God is teaching me.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Praise the One, Risen Son of God!
Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
Listen to the song here: http://youtu.be/4RpcF2TLJBs
A Heart Like His 
I appreciate this post. My class has been in Hebrews for many weeks and the Spirit has convicted me over and again about obedience and faithfulness and the things in my life that hinder both. It was Jesus' earthly obedience to journey to the cross, willingly suffering the excruciating pain and torture of crucifixion unto death that secured my salvation. This obedience is unfathomable to me. If not for mere gratitude for His gift, I should be convicted by His great love – evidenced by this obedience – to obey Him.
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