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To: Kolokotronis; Forest Keeper; MarkBsnr; metmom; stfassisi
Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Greek word "parrésia" means *boldness* or *confidence*.

We are to come BOLDLY to the throne of Grace. Not cowering in fear.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

4,701 posted on 12/04/2010 10:48:55 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: metmom; Forest Keeper; MarkBsnr; stfassisi
m-mom, the verses from Hebrews, as The Fathers and The Church have taught, refer to Christ sitting not on a throne of judgment but rather on a throne grace, dispensing mercy and grace to us in time of need. This is completely consistent with the prayers of The Church at communion time. Of course we should approach with confidence, but as supplicants, not as anyone entitled to anything from Almighty God. Here is what +John Chrysostomos, in Homily VII on Hebrews, comments on 4:16:

"What "throne of grace" is he speaking of? That royal throne concerning which it is said, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit on My right hand." [Psalm 110:1]

What is "let us come boldly"? Because "we have a sinless High Priest" contending with the world. For, says He, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" [John 16:33]; for, this is to suffer all things, and yet to be pure from sins. Although we (he means) are under sin, yet He is sinless.

How is it that we should "approach boldly"? Because now it is a throne of Grace, not a throne of Judgment. Therefore boldly, "that we may obtain mercy," even such as we are seeking. For the affair is [one of] munificence, a royal largess.

"And may find grace to help in time of need [for help in due season]." He well said, "for help in time of need." If you approach now (he means) you will receive both grace and mercy, for you approach "in due season"; but if you approach then, no longer [will you receive it]. For then the approach is unseasonable, for it is not "then a throne of Grace." Till that time He sits granting pardon, but when the end [has come], then He rises up to judgment. For it is said, "Arise, O God, judge the earth." [Psalm 82:8] ("Let us come boldly," or he says again having no "evil conscience," that is, not being in doubt, for such an one cannot "come with boldness.") On this account it is said, "I have heard you in an accepted time and in a day of salvation have I succored you." [2 Corinthians 6:2] Since even now for those to find repentance who sin after baptism is of grace.

But lest when you hear of an High Priest, you should think that He stands, he immediately leads to the throne. But a Priest does not sit, but stands. Do you see that [for Him] to be made High Priest, is not of nature, but of grace and condescension, and humiliation?

This is it seasonable for us also now to say, "Let us draw near" asking "boldly": let us only bring Faith and He gives all things. Now is the time of the gift; let no man despair of himself. Then [will be] the time of despairing, when the bride-chamber is shut, when the King has come in to see the guests, when they who shall be accounted worthy thereof, shall have received as their portion the Patriarch's bosom: but now it is not as yet so. For still are the spectators assembled, still is the contest, still is the prize in suspense."

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

What a wonderful verse, a verse which demonstrates the difference between the dispensation to the Jews and that given to us Christians! Here is a snip from what +John Chrysostomos, in Homily 14 on Romans, says about it:

"For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear."

Then not staying to mention that which stands in contradistinction to bondage, that is, the spirit of freedom, he has named what is far greater, that of adoption, through which he at the same time brings in the other, saying, "But you have received the Spirit of adoption."

But this is plain. But what the spirit of bondage may be, is not so plain, and there is need of making it clearer. Now what he says is so far from being clear, that it is in fact very perplexing. For the people of the Jews did not receive the Spirit. What then is his meaning here? It is the letter he gives this name to, for spiritual it was, and so he called the Law spiritual also, and the water from the Rock, and the Manna. "For they did eat," he says, "of the same spiritual meat, and all drank of the same spiritual drink." 1 Corinthians 10:3-4 And to the Rock he gives this name, when he says, "For they drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them." Now it is because all the rites then wrought were above nature that he calls them spiritual, and not because those who then partook of them received the Spirit. And in what sense were those letters, letters of bondage? Set before yourself the whole dispensation, and then you will have a clear view of this also. For recompenses were with them close at hand, and the reward followed immediately, being at once proportionate, and like a kind of daily ration given to domestic servants, and terrors in abundance came to their height before their eyes, and their purifications concerned their bodies, and their continency extended but to their actions. But with us it is not so, since the imagination even and the conscience gets purged out. For He does not say, "You shall do no murder," only, but even you shall not be angry: so too, it is not, "You shall not commit adultery," but you shall not look unchastely. So that it is not to be from fear of present punishment, but out of desire towards Himself, that both our being habitually virtuous, and all our single good deeds are to come. Neither does he promise a land flowing with milk and honey, but makes us joint-heir with the Only-Begotten, so making us by every means stand aloof from things present, and promising to give such things especially as are worth the acceptance of men made sons of God, nothing, that is, of a sensible kind or corporeal, but spiritual all of them. And so they, even if they had the name of sons, were but as slaves; but we as having been made free, have received the adoption, and are waiting for Heaven."

I see no conflict with the Prayers and the verses you have cited...apparently +John Chrysostomos didn't either as he was the author of two of the communion prayers I posted.

4,706 posted on 12/04/2010 11:19:13 AM PST by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated)
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