A BETTER HOPE. Hebrews 7:18-19 There are three key teachings from the scriptures: God is holy, man is sinful, and Jesus is the perfect Mediator. The law focused on the first two points. Godly Israelites—since the law was given to the Jews—would have realized how far removed they were from God because of their inherent corruption, depravity, and sinfulness, which are the root and foundation of their nature. The law emphasized to law-keepers the holiness of God and the sinfulness that separates people from God, over which they seem to have no control. It is in the fallen nature of man to sin.
Therefore, there is a “disannulling,” abolishing, and setting aside of the regulations of the law that are weak and unable to help us come to God, even though it is good and holy. We have no ability to meet the demands of the law, and it cannot do that for us. It has no way of providing the atonement needed for those who have broken the law. The law was not intended to save people or make them acceptable to God, but to point out sin and direct the sinner to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament priesthood, sacrifices, and the law, which were given to the Jews, are now canceled because Christ has come and brought a “better hope.” His priesthood purifies us from our sins, allowing us to draw near to God. The law and its ordinances were not given to humanity as a whole, but to Israel to reveal sin. A higher form of governance has emerged to prevent humanity from descending into chaos. God chose people who would be “holy and without blemish before Him in love” to live holy lives among sinful people as His representatives. The Holy Spirit empowers these individuals to reach the consciences and intellects of those who observe a way of living that pleases God.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” That love was demonstrated at the cross, so that even though we were fallen in sin, “Christ died for us.” This is the “better hope,” the work of Christ by which we can draw near to God. Law-keeping and the Aaronic priesthood cannot be mixed with grace and the work of our Great High Priest. The disappearance of the law as a means of acceptance is absolute and as final as the putting away of our sins by the sacrifice of Christ alone.
Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have died to the law and have been made alive unto God so that we can live for Him. The law made nothing perfect. Now that we have been made alive in Christ, He lives in us through simple faith. We are not under the law but under grace. This is where our true freedom lies. Now we are in a position where we can “draw nigh to God.”
To “draw nigh to God” means that the work of Christ has removed all barriers and enables us to live in closeness to God. Some believers prioritize only their own happiness. Others go further and develop a personal relationship with Christ, wanting to know and serve Him better. However, the work of our Lord Jesus Christ has opened the way for us to approach God directly, relying on Him and honoring Him.
When we “draw nigh to God,” it brings satisfaction to Him, who longs for His children to live in the blessings of His love and find their joy in being conscious of living in His presence. Nearness to God is not external, but the harmony of having fellowship and unity with Him as we do His will. His divine nature has been given to us so that we can enjoy what He enjoys and find our satisfaction in all that we have in Christ, the same way God does.
The redemption Christ provided opened the way for us to draw near to God. He is our Great High Priest, doing this continually in the power of His endless life. We can “draw nigh to God” by faith at any time and in any circumstance when faith is the habit of our souls, which honors our Lord, Priest, and King. What is impossible to us, He can make happen when we “draw nigh to God.”