It seems as if Hebrews 4:12-16 has a "bad news, good news" motif. At least it does for me.
The "bad news"...
1. The Word of God, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrates our lives as believers.
2. It judges the "thoughts and attitudes of the heart".
3. It exposes us to God "to whom we must give account".
If you stop reading there, it sound pretty scary. When we view our lives under the spotlight of the Word, we realize how far short we fall in our desire to live perfectly for Christ. It seems like a futile pursuit, and the devil can cause us to pitch a tent here in this hopeless terrain.
But here's the really good news...
1. We have a high priest who has gone before us--Jesus, God's Son.
2. We should, then, hold firmly to our faith...why?
3. Jesus sympathizes with out our weakness; having been tempted--but without sin--He is our perfect way to access God.
4. We can be confident is coming to the "throne of grace" (how inviting is that!) knowing we will "receive mercy" and "find grace to help us in our time of need".
That is really good news! As I read the Word it teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains me (II Timothy 3:16,17) so that I--a man desirous of being a "man of God", may be "thoroughly equipped for every good work". I fall short of this goal daily, but daily I come to His throne, and as the recipient of His mercy and grace, purpose to live for Him and for His glory.
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