Draw Near To God With Boldness

November 7th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The “therefore” in v. 16 draws a conclusion from what the author has previously stated. Since Christians have a “high priest,” Jesus, who “sympathizes” (Gr. sumpatheō) with the weaknesses of His people (sharing their feelings; understanding their sentiment), having been “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (v. 15), we can “therefore”...

First, Christians can “draw near” (Gr. proserchomai) to Jesus. This term refers to advancing towards someone, usually with a proposal, question, or suggestion. The point being that since God became flesh (John 1:1-2, 14) and lived the life of a human in the form of Jesus of Nazareth, His people can come to Him—they can “draw near” to Him since He became one of us and understands us as humans. Building on that, the author says that we can draw near to Jesus with “confidence” (Gr. parrēsia), a term that means outspokenness; boldness. This means that drawing near to Jesus is not to be done in fear and trembling per se, falsely believing that Jesus does not care about us or our problems. Coming before Jesus with boldness is exactly how He wants His children to come to Him, not in timidity. This signifies confidence in Jesus.

Of course drawing near to Jesus with confidence entails coming “to the throne of grace,” for Jesus sits on a throne (cf. 1:3), having ascended to God the Father, having “passed through the heavens” (v. 14). Notably, at least for His children, Jesus’ throne is not the throne of Law where they will be judged; it is the throne of “grace” (Gr. charis)—a term that refers to a gift, or blessing. Drawing near to a throne where there is a gift and a blessing instead of judgment, and done with boldness, is the bottom-line admonition of the author in Hebrews 4:16.

And why would a Christian draw near with confidence to Jesus’ throne of grace? Note the “so that” (Gr. hina) which notates a purpose. We draw near to Jesus’ throne of grace with confidence so that “we may receive mercy.” In the context of the author’s point where he has been referencing the unbelief of the ancient Israelites whom God disciplined in the wilderness outside of the Promised Land, those whose faith is devolving into unbelief, as was the case in Israel during the days of Moses and Joshua, can come boldly before the throne of grace and receive “mercy” (Gr. eleos)—compassion from their Savior. After all, Jesus’ throne is grace—a place where mercy and compassion are offered to believers, not judgment.

To receive mercy at the throne of God is the essence of Christianity. All of humanity will one day stand before the holy God of all creation—sinners! And sinners deserve punishment from the holy God who righteously judges. Like a murdering rapist who stands guilty before a judge and who has no defense—who deserves the sharpest edge of judgment—so too does all humanity before our holy God. Yet in Christ, Christians come to the throne of God, a throne of grace, and receive mercy from Him. Mercy means that we will not receive what we deserve from God, namely eternal hell. But better than mercy, Christians will find grace at the throne of grace which means that we will not only not be judged, we will be rewarded with compassion—with gifts and blessings from God! That is what divine grace is: undeserved favor from God!

All of this is an exhortation to Christians to come before God’s throne of grace for mercy and grace for “help in time of need.” When do Christians need help, and when are they in need? Always! And when are Christians most vulnerable than when we doubt, as the Hebrews audience was doing. The answer is to “draw hear” to God in prayer with boldness, expecting mercy and grace. Why? Because God has promised these to His people—not all people but His people. And who are His people but those who trust and love the Lord Jesus Christ. May we all therefore, those who call ourselves Christians, be perpetually drawing near to God through Christ in prayer.