Introduction
There is no greater question for the soul than this: How shall I approach the Lord? Every person must one day stand before the holy God who made heaven and earth. We may approach people with excuses, explanations, credentials, ceremonies, and accomplishments, but none of these can hide the truth from the living God. Before Him, every heart is open, every sin is known, and every mouth is stopped.
The question is not whether we will approach Him, but how. The Bible teaches that God is merciful, but He is also holy. He invites sinners to come, but He does not receive sinners based on human pride. We cannot come dressed in our own righteousness, covered by our religion, boasting in our works, or excusing our guilt. We must come as sinners in need of grace, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
- Not with My Righteousness; It Is Unclean
Many imagine that they can approach God by presenting their best efforts, their moral record, their sincerity, or their reputation. Yet the Word of God removes that false hope. Isaiah declares, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness is like a filthy rag” (Isaiah 64:6, NKJV). Even our righteousness, when offered as the basis of acceptance before God, is stained by sin.
Isaiah 64:5 reminds us that the Lord meets the one who rejoices and does righteousness, yet the same passage confesses, “You are indeed angry, for we have sinned.” The issue is not that good is evil, but that sinful people cannot make themselves clean by presenting their own goodness to God. Romans 3:23 gives the verdict plainly: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NKJV). Therefore, I must not approach the Lord saying, “Look at what I have done.” I must approach Him confessing, “I am unclean, and I need mercy.”
- Not with My Religion; It Is Unacceptable
Religion without repentance cannot save the soul. In Isaiah 1, the people of Judah continued their sacrifices, assemblies, and prayers, but their hearts were far from God. The Lord said He was weary of their empty worship because their hands were full of blood.
They had ceremonies but not surrender; offerings, but not obedience; religion, but not reconciliation. Yet even in that chapter, God extends mercy: “’Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow’” (Isaiah 1:18, NKJV).
The answer is not more empty religion but cleansing from God Himself. Micah 3:4 warns that those who persist in evil may cry to the Lord, but He will not hear them, as they cling to their wickedness. Religious activity cannot replace a broken and repentant heart. Church attendance, baptism, giving, prayers, family tradition, and religious vocabulary are not substitutes for salvation. These things may have their proper place, but they cannot wash away sin. I must not approach the Lord saying, “I have religion.” I must approach Him asking for grace.
- Not with My Works; They Are Dead and Useless
Human works cannot cleanse the conscience from sin. Hebrews 9:14 asks how much more the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, shall “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (NKJV). Dead works may look impressive to people, but they cannot give life to a dead soul.
The sinner’s problem is not merely weakness; it is spiritual death. A corpse cannot improve itself into life. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Titus 3:5 adds that God saved us “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (NKJV). If my works could save me, Christ died in vain. But because my works cannot save me, Christ died for sinners.
- I Approach the Lord as a Confessing Sinner, Trusting in Him
In Luke 18, Jesus told of two men who went up to the temple to pray. One boasted in himself. The other would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast and prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13, NKJV). Jesus said that this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. Why? Because God receives the humble sinner who casts himself upon divine mercy. This is the only honest approach to God.
I do not come denying my sin, explaining it away, comparing myself to others, or promising that I will do better in my own strength. I come confessing the truth: “Lord, I have sinned. I cannot save myself. Be merciful to me.” First John 1:9 promises that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- I Approach the Lord Guilty Before Him and Needing to Be Justified in His Sight
Romans 3:19-20 says that the law speaks so “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (NKJV). The law does not justify the sinner; it exposes the sinner. It silences every excuse. It shuts the mouth of self-defense. It shows us that we are guilty before the Judge of all the earth. But Romans 3 does not leave us in despair. After declaring that no flesh will be justified by the deeds of the law, it announces “the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” (Romans 3:22, NKJV). The guilty sinner needs more than pardon in a general sense; he needs to be justified in God’s sight. Justification is God’s gracious declaration that the believing sinner is righteous because of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I approach the Lord not as one who deserves heaven, but as one who deserves judgment and pleads the merits of Christ. I come guilty, that I may be justified. I come condemned in myself, that I may be accepted in the Beloved.
- I Approach the Lord Believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ Alone for Salvation
The only saving approach to God is through Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:4-6 proclaims that the Servant of the Lord bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, was wounded for our transgressions, and was bruised for our iniquities. “All we like sheep have gone astray,” but “the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6, NKJV). Christ did not die as an example only; He died as a substitute for sinners. Acts 4:12 declares, “Nor is there salvation in any other” (NKJV). Acts 16:31 gives the simple command: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (NKJV).
Romans 5:6-11 tells us that Christ died for the ungodly, that God demonstrates His own love toward us, and that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 8:1 assures the believer, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (NKJV).
Romans 10:9-10 teaches that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Salvation is not Christ plus my righteousness, Christ plus my religion, or Christ plus my works. Salvation is Christ alone: His blood, His cross, His resurrection, His righteousness, His mercy, His power to save.
Conclusion: Come to Christ Today
How shall you approach the Lord? Not with your righteousness, for it is unclean. Not with your religion, for it cannot reconcile you to God. Not with your works, for they cannot cleanse your conscience. Come as a confessing sinner. Come guilty and in need of justification. Come believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
Hear the gracious invitation of the Savior: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV). Jesus does not call the self-satisfied, but the weary. He does not call the proud, but the burdened. He calls sinners to Himself, and He gives rest for the soul.
He also gives eternal security to those who belong to Him: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:28, NKJV). No one can snatch His sheep from His hand. The Savior who calls you can save you, keep you, cleanse you, justify you, and bring you safely home. Do not delay (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not hide behind your morality, your church background, your good intentions, or your religious customs. Turn from sin and turn to Christ. Lay down every false hope. Cry out to Him today: “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Come to Christ now, for He is willing to receive sinners, and He is mighty to save.
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The post How Shall I Approach the Lord? :: By Dr. Donald Whitchard appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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