Drawing Near

Drawing Near
Words of Faith 3-9-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Hebrews 10
[22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Jesus the High Priest has freed us from sin. He is now ready to present us to God as being sinless and righteous. Jesus Christ has made us acceptable to God. He has provided a new and living way into the holiest place of all, the very presence of God Himself. We can now know God. We can know Him personally and intimately. We can now commune and fellowship with God. We have His presence and power in our lives as we walk day by day.

The point of the magnificent work of Jesus is not that we should stay away from God. We are called near to Him. As New Covenant people, we are called to come into the very presence of God with confidence.

The approach of a believer is with a sincere heart. The word sincere comes from the word for truth. What is a truthful heart? It does not mean a heart devoid of questions or without error, but rather a heart coming without ulterior motive. We approach God for the sake of knowing God. We approach God simply to draw near. Our approach is genuine, honest, meaningful, and without hypocrisy. A true heart involves an attitude of gladness, freedom, and enthusiasm.

The approach of the believer is also "in full assurance of faith". Is that assurance something we need to "work up" before approaching God? That is not the nature of the New Covenant; rather, the believer approaches God in the conscious enjoyment of freedom from guilt. This is the effect of having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.

We approach God with assurance of personal holiness, not based on our works or sacrifices, but solely on Christ's sacrifice. He alone makes our approach to God possible. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

The approach of a believer toward God is possible because of the blood of Jesus and the washing of our bodies with pure water. This is not a commendation of ceremonial washing or even a reference to baptism. The word used means to bathe or wash clothing. It is the sort of word that infers a regular action that is repeated.

The blood of Jesus permanently cleanses our guilt, but we are regularly bathed in the water of the Holy Spirit, which cleanses our flesh. We may still struggle with the "sinful nature," but our flesh is washed as we are bathed in the fresh water of the Holy Spirit.

We are called to consciously lay hold of the cleansing benefits of the cross of Jesus and to draw near to God in enjoying them, putting away inward guilt and outward impurity. Are you drawing near or keeping your distance? Are you staying just close enough to God to call out for help, but not really drawing near? Draw near today.

Father God, I consciously lay hold of the cleansing benefit of the cross. By faith, I approach You with a sincere heart, celebrating the freedom that You have provided for me. I draw near to enjoy the benefit of being clean, but even more simply to enjoy You. In Jesus' Name and through His blood, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2026
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2026 Jeffrey D. Hoy.