Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV

     In the book of Esther the Jewish people were all condemned to die because of the craftiness of an evil decree made by man named Haman. Esther herself, being a Jew and the Queen, approached King Ahasuerus and in doing so risked her very life; for at this particular season in time no one was to approach the throne unless summoned by the King. Esther went as an advocate for the Jewish people seeking an audience with the king to speak on their behalf. Esther, being his bride and loved greatly by him, was received and offered her whatever she would ask even up to one half of his kingdom. Esther, by approaching the throne, was able to intervene and save the lives of the Jewish people.

     Are you aware there is another crafty and evil one (Genesis 3:1) who desires death for those whom God loves greatly? Through his craftiness, sin and death became a reality and not just a decree in this world. God, not willing for evil to have the ultimate victory, made a decree that would overcome Satan’s evil plot, nullifying his death grip in the lives of people. There are  three things which you must be aware of for this degree to be a reality in your life.

Be Aware Of The Crafty One.
     Satan is doing a very good job deceiving people today just as he deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. Many believe they are doing ok and living what they consider to be a good life that will one day make it possible for their entrance into heaven. With this thought let me ask you a question. Have you ever done anything worse than eating a piece of fruit? Really!!! Have you??? Take a moment and read Genesis chapter three. This is exactly what Adam and Eve did and it cost them dearly, and the cost is still the same today. Death and separation from God caused by the sin of disobedience and pride. Pride is the mother of all sin. (Proverbs 16:18) Satan fuels the lie that our lives are no one else’s business, but remember every decision we make has a consequence. Other lives are always affected by the choices people make. You choose evil; you will reap evil (Galatians 6:7) and many times those closest to you reap the consequence as well. Look at the affect it had upon Adam when Eve chose to listen to Satan. (Genesis 3) Look how it still affects our world today. This is a closing verse for this point…. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be Aware of God’s Decree.
     For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV – – – – Jesus said to him, “I am THE way, and THE truth, and THE life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV – – – – And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 ESV God’s degree was not mere words but action in order to bring about the end result …. forgiveness and life. God gave his Son as a sacrifice for sin because there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Hebrews 9:22b ESV

Be Aware of How to Experience God’s Decree.
     The first thing a person must do is CONFESS AND BELIEVE. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10 ESV
     The second thing a person must do is acknowledge their sin and REPENT AND BELIEVE. Jesus began his ministry with these words. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark1:14-15 ESV
   The third thing to do is REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED. Peter, in Acts chapter two, was proclaiming all that God did and is doing because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. There were men listening who were cut to the heart and asked Peter, “What shall we do?” (vs37) And Peter said to them,“REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 ESV.

     These three steps informing us how to experience God’s Decree is not a formula, but a path to begin your journey with Christ. The thief on the cross simple said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 ESV To which Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 ESV It is a matter of the heart, and it is apparent in the thief’s heart in Luke 23:39-41. In his heart he confessed, repented, believed and was baptized by grace. Grace that enables us to come before the throne of God made possible by Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who is seated at the right hand of His Father. Just as the scepter was lifted up that Esther might approach the throne as an advocate for the Jewish people ( Esther 4:11 … Esther 5:1-2 ) So is Jesus our advocate and was lifted up on the cross, raised from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Therefore we, who are in Christ as His bride that He loves greatly, might approach the throne. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
     Let me end today with a simple prayer of thanksgiving …. Thank you Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit for this great privilege of coming before the throne by grace. Ephesians 2:8-9.

 
Because of His Grace ~Pastor David