Hebrews 4:15 English Standard Version (ESV) 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.

Do wwe think about Christ as being sympathetic or do we think of Him as being demanding?

He is the Lord of our lives, He abides in us and has the right to do as He wills in accordance with the Father’s plans for our lives, like it or not. There is something in acknowledging His power over us that leaves us feeling like He is a ruler first and a friend second.

Well He knows how we feel about that too because He has had that very experience Himself. He ran every gambit of emotions we do but He did not give in to them. Giving into our weaknesses is allowing sin to have control that it does not deserve. Christ earned that right, sin lost it at the Cross.

Wwe are still in this world dealing with the doubts that come with being human, that imperfect form which is powerless to know what to do right. Doubt leads to insecurity and with that we can doubt our own performance but we should not allow that to doubt His.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do we know what verse 2:14 says without looking?

Stop complaining and do not doubt.

Reason this out. If God takes pleasure in what He has done in us it is tied to His great love for us which He has already proved. Our feelings on the matter had nothing to do with His will, His love, His mercy and His grace. That might not feel very sympathetic at the moment so we have to trust that God knows what is best for His children.

I no longer know the taste of gall since my gallbladder has been removed.

Be grateful for what the Lord has removed from our lives.

Romans 5:17, 20 English Standard Version

17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

These three things will never decrease, God’s love, sin and grace. God’s love is included here because of the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ. (God so loved)

Sin is stuck in the middle of love and race much like we are stuck in this life between our salvation moment and our death. Sin is still present in our lives. Not that it rules and regions in our lives any longer but it is still present. (1 John 1:8)

Hebrews 4:16 English Standard Version (ESV) 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.

Finding grace when we need it sounds like we don’t have it without looking for it. It is like using up grace like drinking the last drop from the cup. That is the effect of sin around us, even if we haven’t given into it. Its presence is enough to cause us to feel lacking in grace.

At least we know where to find grace when we need it. Draw near to the throne of grace to receive more grace. The real problem for us is in the image of sin separating us from the love of God. 

Romans 8:38-39 English Standard Version

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We believe this but do we always remember it when sin keeps tapping into our very human emotions? God gave us the ability to feel with purpose. He understands that and makes grace abundantly available to cover our weaknesses.

We do not need to sin to refill our cup with grace. Don’t wait until it is too late.