Closer Than You Think

Have you ever found yourself thinking there must be something more, something better just out of reach? Maybe you wouldn’t say it out loud, but the feeling is there. The Christians addressed in Hebrews felt it too. They were already in Christ, which is far greater than what came before, yet they were tempted to look back. The writer of Hebrews doesn’t simply tell them to stop; he shows them why going back makes no sense. He tells them what they have in Christ is not just better, it is complete (Hebrews 10:19–22).

Under the old covenant, people were constantly reminded that God is holy and that sin creates distance. The tabernacle had a holy place and then the Most Holy Place, separated by a veil. Only the high priest could enter that inner room, and only once a year (Hebrews 9:6–7). That system taught reverence, yet it also showed that access to God was limited because people couldn’t simply come near whenever they wanted.

Christ changed that. Hebrews says, “having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). That word boldness carries the idea of confidence and freedom to approach. Instead of standing far off, hoping to be accepted, we are invited to come near. Think about that for a moment. The God who created the world allows us to come into His presence.

So what does it mean to draw near? It is more than sitting in a church building. It is coming before God in prayer, in worship, and in daily life, knowing He hears and receives us. James wrote, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

However, drawing near is not something done carelessly. Hebrews says we must come with “a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). God has always cared about sincerity. Going through motions without meaning has never pleased Him. Jesus warned about people who honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:8). That raises a simple question. When we approach God, are we real or just going through the motions?

Faith also matters. Drawing near requires trust, not guessing, not hoping things might work out, but knowing God keeps His word. “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Every promise God has made rests on His character, and He has never failed.

This brings up another important question. Why can we draw near at all? The answer centers on Christ. Hebrews describes hearts that are “sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22, NKJV). Under the old law, animal sacrifices were offered again and again, yet they couldn’t truly remove sin (Hebrews 10:1–4). Christ offered one sacrifice that actually cleanses.

Many people carry guilt and try to bury it or distract themselves from it. Some ignore it and hope it goes away. It does not! Only Christ deals with it fully. When sin is forgiven, the conscience is restored, and peace takes its place.

Hebrews also speaks of bodies “washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). This points to baptism, the moment when a person comes into contact with Christ's saving work. Peter explained that baptism is not just about washing the body, but “an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). It marks the point where a person moves from being separated from God to being brought near.

When all of this is considered, the message becomes clear. Christ provides what the old system could not. His sacrifice truly cleanses. His priesthood gives real access, and His promises offer certainty. There is no reason to go back or look elsewhere.

That same temptation still exists today. It may not be a return to the old covenant, but it shows up in other ways. People look for something more appealing, easier, or new or different. The danger is the same. When we fail to see the greatness of what Christ has already given, we begin to search for substitutes.

The real question is not what else is out there. The real question is whether we understand what we already have. When a person truly sees what Christ has done, the search ends. There is no need to look around or wonder if something better exists.

Drawing near to God is not about chasing something distant. It is about stepping into a relationship that has already been made possible. God is not far away. Through Christ, He is near, and when we come to Him with sincerity and faith, we find what every soul is looking for: peace, forgiveness, and a place in His presence that is closer than we ever imagined.