Drawing Near to God

Hebrews 10:19-22 ( clickable passage)

With the shedding of Jesus's blood upon the cross at calvary, the  temple veil was torn. The tearing of this veil granted us access to the holy of holies.   This access to the throne room, was once exclusive to the high priests under the law of Moses; and that once a year. The high priest had to, first, offer sin offering for himself before he could offer the atonement sacrifice for the congreagation.
But thanks be to God for the one sinless and blameless  high priest, who offered himself as a pure sacrifice, for the remission of sins of the entire human race.
the book of Hebrews reiterates this sacrifice and the rewards that are a gift of grace, which are received of those who believe in the atoning work of Jesus's blood for them ( Hebrews 10:19).

Verse 22 in the tenth chapter of Hebrew now urges the believer to take advantage of the access we have to the throne. We can enter boldly. How? By, or by way of, the blood of Jesus.

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
 

(C) 2012 Chantel Dillard

Now lets look at this one phrase at a time:
 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith-  This alludes to believing. When we believe the gospel it is the first step of gaining access beyond the veil. Belief in the gospel gives us hope, assurance that his blood can do what the bible says it can do.

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience-  this is repentance at work, for Godly sorrow worketh repentance  ( 2 Corinthians 7:10, Romans 2:4)in the heart of those who believe the word. When we believe the gospel, we become sorry for the transgressions we have committed against God . True repentance then releases your heart from an evil conscience for God does not despise a broken heart or a contrite spirit- Psalm 52:17. He graciously forgives.

and our bodies washed with pure water-  this is the work of baptism in water that is pure. But the purity of this water is in the spiritual not the natural. One can be baptized in the jordan river which is quite murky from what I understand, but the water is purified by the blameless and sinless name of our Savior Jesus Christ. When the name of Jesus is declared over you as you enter the water, it is pure. Your sins, because of the remitting power of that name are washed away, and you break through the water as from a grave, free of past guilt and shame.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Now through Faith , repentance, and baptism, we have gained access to enter the holiest ( Hebrews 10:19). When we draw near to God he draws near to us- this is the process of atonement, or at- one- ment. You in Christ and now Christ comes to dwell in you by way of the Holy Spirit. How do we know he has come in to us? It will be a sound that is heard. For the wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it...so is everyone who is born of the Spirit- John 3:8

Of course this process is ongoing in the life of the believer. We must  draw near with a full assurance of faith, constantly building up our faith through the Word. We must repent as the Word reveals in us what does not line up with it. And we must be washed by the Word daily, allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through us seamlessly.

This is the drawing near.
Let us draw near to God.
-Warmest thoughts and Prayers, Chantel