One of the many benefits of being and living as the free people we are in Christ (1 Pet 2:16-17) is the ability to enter God’s presence. I was never a Star Trek fan, but I do remember their catch phrase “to boldly go where no one has gone before”. After Adam and Eve sinned, and before Christ died for our sins, the people could not enter the presence of God; they had a high priest who was able to enter the Holiest of Holies only once a year on their behalf. Most didn’t have the ability to speak directly with the Lord.

As Christ followers we are able to go before the throne of God anytime. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:14-16)

He already knows everything that is going on with us (Heb. 4:13), but most times He waits for us to come before Him humbly and make our requests to Him with righteous motives (James 4:2-3). Each Christian daily has the great privilege that the high priest had only once a year. We have access to Him all the time; what is greater than that? And it’s all because of the blood of Christ shed on our behalf! This is what our new life in Christ is all about; He has opened up a world for us to enter where we could never go before, all because of what He did for us.

While we are here on earth, we can go before the Father in worship and prayer, boldly entering Heaven. “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb 10:19-22)

We are told to be confident because of our position in Christ; and because of that we have the ability to be bold and go before God’s throne to receive grace and mercy. We do not earn or deserve this outpouring; it is His gift of love and grace (Eph 2:8-9). But do we practice it as the free people that we truly are? “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Pet 2:16)

Father, thank You for giving me the ability to come before at any time. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to spend time with You so that I know how You want me to walk for Your glory, and as Your servant. Thank You for Your daily cleansing and refreshing. To You, God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.