(Ask Seek Knock) HolySpirit - A Verse by Verse Episode.

Musing Verse: ‭Hebrews 4:14-16 NRSV‬

[14] Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

https://bible.com/bible/2016/heb.4.14-16.NRSV

This passage of scripture is popularly quoted to help any person become confident that if he has a need, he can always come boldly to God, ask for help and will get it from God. This is correct, but there is a deeper aspect to it. 

From the books of Genesis to Revelation, what has plagued even the most pious of mankind is sin. Jesus came to once and for all, resolve the matter of Sin in our lives. 

This book of Hebrews out of which I have quoted, was written to the Jews. It did well to explain to them that there was an update in their worship of God and this update was that Jesus, the messiah had come and thus there would have to be changes in the ways they worshipped God. 

In times before Jesus, the Israelites had High Priests who were the mediators between the people and God. The High Priests served in the temple, a place called the Holy of Holies where the Mercy-Seat was located. But even these High Priests had to offer sacrifices for the remission of their own sins before they could be worthy to enter into the Holy of Holies. Meaning the person you are running to to help you appease God might have sinned as well. Which makes it clear that no man with sin in them could approach God. 

Enter Jesus, who takes on the role of our High Priest, an Eternal High Priest - not just to the Jews but to every single person. The first verse says 'He passed through the heavens': which means we should not be looking for Him in any singular earthly location, like a Temple, as it was before. 

The verse further says, let us hold fast to our confession. The KJV version says 'Profession' instead of Confession. I prefer Profession, because it includes what we know, believe, say and do as it concerns our worshipping God. While Confession is limited to what we know, believe and say. The old priesthood was even more concerned about was done rather than what was said. Actions really do speak louder about our faith in God, than our words. Jesus said as much when he gave a parable which I will paraphrase here. Two sons of a Father were sent on errands by their Father. one said, I will go and do it, but did not do it; while the other son said, I won't do it, but changed his mind and did it. Therefore which son did the will of the father? (Matthew 21 : 28 - 31)... Actions are more acceptable in worship than words. 

The second verse talks about the humanity of Christ, that He was tempted as well even though He was the Son of God. Adam was tempted and he fell. The High Priests pre-Christ were tempted and they fell. Temptation is common to every member of the Human race. Only Jesus was tempted and there was no sin in him. How he was able to do so was because of the indwelling Holy Spirit in Him from His birth. 

By the way, (let me say something controversial here) we are made to understand that Jesus learnt obedience by the things he suffered. 

‭Hebrews 5:7-10 NRSV‬

[7] In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. [8] Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; [9] and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, [10] having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 

https://bible.com/bible/2016/heb.5.7-10.NRSV

Which means there were times while growing and before perfection came that Jesus was disobedient. Especially, to the Holy Spirit in Him. I can say this because as a Christian every time I had suffered anything it was because I did not listen and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. And this suffering is called Chastisement. 

‭Hebrews 12:5-6 NRSV‬

[5] And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; [6] for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.”

https://bible.com/bible/2016/heb.12.5-6.NRSV

There are a lot of us going through situations that we have ascribed to 'village people' but it's actually God! We don't want to reverently submit submit God... So we are in that miserable state until we look up onto God like King Nebuchadnezzar did, and reverently submit to Him and be restored. 

Quickly again, let me add this: you know how people say 'sin is sin!' - this is not completely correct. There is sin that leads to death. 

‭1 John 5:16-17 NRSV‬

[16] If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one—to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. [17] All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.

https://bible.com/bible/2016/1jn.5.16-17.NRSV

I think, I am not sure, that when we have hatred towards our neighbor, it is a mortal sin - the only mortal sin. I stand to be corrected. 

Now the third verse talks about a lot of things. 

1) Come boldly

2) The Throne of Grace

3) Receive Mercy

4) Find Grace

5) Time of Need

Let's take it one after the other:

1) Come boldly: means to come unafraid. It does not mean to come without reverence. We ought to be afraid to come because none of us has held fast our profession as we ought. Many of us have succumbed to one temptation or the other. Yet Jesus is saying Come Boldly! The reason why we can do so is not become God is now old and thus has relaxed is justice system like some of our parents, but because Jesus has paid the price for our 'unprofessionalism' by the shedding of his blood and righteousness has been imputed to us. 

2) The Throne of Grace is the Heavenly Holy of Holies where the Heavenly Mercy-Seat is located. Rather than blood of bulls and goats on that seat which is for the remission of sins in the old order, we have the blood of Jesus on that seat which is for the forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness is greater than Remission. Remission deals with the removal of the penalty of sin alone. Forgiveness deals in removal of penalty and also associated emotions such as shame, guilt, blame etc from the repenters' life. Forgiveness does not stop God's chastisement. 

3) Receive mercy: There are those that argue that once one has become a believer, he needs not ask for forgiveness for sins again, it is automatic. I argue that if that were to be accurate the verse would have said 'mercy is imputed'.  Righteousness is imputed once we are Christ's by faith. Romans 4: 11 - 24 and James 2: 23. On the other hand, 'Mercy is received'. And how do we receive or obtain? By asking! 

4) Find Grace: Here again, grace is not license to sin as many perceive it to be. Grace is the ability God gives. Simply put, Grace is God's Ability in mankind. So, for instance, when we are being tẹmpted, we seek Grace - God's ability to resist temptation. Or again, when we are ill, we receive God's ability to heal. Grace is also not imputed, Grace is Found! as in (find grace). And how do we find? By Seeking!

5) Time of Need: A time of Need is a Time of Need 😓 No matter what the Need is, the door of harvest/answers will be opened. The door opens by knocking on it. Knocking is something that requires physical movement... Meaning it is an action. Our needs are met by obeying/acting upon the Holy Spirit's instructions (which includes those in the Bible and those we receive by Hearing/Intuition) 

To tie it up with a cute bow, this last verse of our subject scripture echoes Jesus' words.

‭Luke 11:9-13 NRSV‬

[9] “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. [10] For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? [12] Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? [13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.11.9-13.NRSV

(Ask. Seek. Knock.) Holy Spirit.