“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” Hebrews 4:16 AMP

I remember as a child getting caught with my hand in the cookie jar! I tried to come up with every excuse possible to explain my behavior, but nothing would stick! I remember those fateful words, “Just wait until your father gets home!” My dad was a strict disciplinarian so I knew that there would be consequences to my rebellious behavior. More often than not, I have the same feelings toward my heavenly father that I had with my earthly one! I love the Amplified translation here as it really brings out the flavor of the word boldly. 

The word Boldly in the Greek is the word meaning that one was a “full citizen” of Greece entitled to all the rights and privileges of a citizen! Aliens had no such rights under the Greek law. They were forbidden to speak or even to enter any place of prominence. IT is this condition of citizenship that was of import and to lose it was everything! It is interesting that the philosophers of the day considered the disintegration of the culture was due to a lack of moral clarity! We must always remember that we are no longer slaves to sin but we are instruments unto righteousness! Do you remember the words of our Savior?

“I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.” John 15:15 AMP

We are no longer slaves or aliens living in this world but now we are children of the King! Being found in the state of righteousness is the foundation upon which we can now enter the throne room of heaven. 

“He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].” 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP

We must always remember that the freedom we have in His Kingdom does not entitle us to any style of living or speaking! We must always yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. The downfall of the Greek empire was the acceptance of immorality. Yes, as members of the society people had the right and ability to do or say anything they wanted. I was the fact that they choose the path immorality instead of pursuing righteousness. 

When we walk in sin the still small voice inside of us reminds us that we are on the wrong track. One that conviction comes upon us a felling of guilt and shame follow quickly. It is that feeling that at tikes keeps us from entering the throne room for fear of our Father’s judgement. May it never be! Our verse this morning tells us that it is in that very place that we may find grace in our time of need. We should remember that it doesn’t say that we find acceptance of our behavior there! The word grace is the word “Charis.” The Greek word Charis means “favor or fortune; favor shown or received.” It carries with a demand of both reception and reciprocity. We receive grace for the forgiveness of our sin and in response we change or behavior! To receive grace and not respond is a blasphemous practice. I have always said, “Grace is not the freedom to sin but rather the freedom not to!” We must believe His Word by faith and practice that in his presence we find mercy and grace, not judgement and punishment! The Apostle Paul put it this way,

“So now through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God [in all its countless aspects] might now be made known [revealing the mystery] to the [angelic] rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This is in accordance with [the terms of] the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].” Ephesians 3:10-12 AMP

Take time today to enter the throne room of His grace to find the help you need in your time of trouble! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken