Day 265

Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day.

Chapter 22, Paragraph 2.

“…and since the fall, not without a Mediator,…”

Scripture Lookup

John 14:6

Reflection

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

 

“God is my co-pilot.”

“God is my best friend.”

Many people in today’s culture treat God as if He were their #1 fan. According to them, He’s always there to tell you how awesome you’re doing, how pretty you look, and how blessed you are. You and He are best buds, and you can ring Him up whenever you need to. Repentance? Awe? Not needed with God, so goes the popular thinking. He can be worshiped face-to-face. Such a view distorts God and ignores His holiness.

In order for God to be worshiped rightly, such worship must be done through a mediator. Before the Fall, Adam and Eve had unfettered access to God. They could commune with Him because they had not sinned. However, when they chose to transgress God’s command, they plummeted all of humanity into a life of sin and misery. The corruption that each one of us born by ordinary means is a chain that keeps us from freely communing with God. In order to hold an audience with the holy God, we must go through a mediator, someone who intercedes on our behalf.

Knowing that true worship must be through a mediator reminds us of our sinful condition. Humbly do we remember that we are not worthy of approaching Him, and gratefully acknowledge the work of the mediator on our behalf. As Christians, we can run boldly to the throne of grace. But only because of the High Priest who intercedes on our behalf.

…we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,… – Hebrews 4:14 (NASB)

Questions to Consider

• Have you ever considered that true worship necessitates a mediator?