Hebrews 4:15

Memory Verse

For we do not have a High Priest who is not inherently able to sympathize with our weakness, but was tempted according to all things in like manner as we, apart from sin, Hebrews 4:15.

Jesus faced the same type of temptations that we face. He therefore understands our weakness. He did not sin; thus, He is able to be a faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our struggles. As our High Priest, He intercedes to the Father on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

Because we have such a High Priest, we can be confident to go before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. As those who are saved, we have been placed into the body of the Christ and therefore are righteous before God, not based upon our own works, but on who we are in Christ. This immersion frees us from slavery to our sin nature so that we may become slaves to righteousness. We have this benefit whether we use it or not. Mercy is relief from the effects of sin.

When a Christian sins, he is able to go before the throne of God in prayer, verbally agreeing that his action is lawlessness—contrary to the standard God has set for him in Christ (1 John 1:9). When we verbally agree with God concerning our sin, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We are then able to restore fellowship with God by applying the truth to our lives—the doctrine for victory over the sin nature (Romans 6:4–6, 11, 13). This is all possible because we have a faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and will therefore intercede on our behalf for God the Father to work out in our lives the discipline we need so that we produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness and learn to reject the ways of the flesh (Hebrews 12:11).