When we read God’s word it’s evident, in an honest reading, that we don’t measure up to the conditions of faith to which we have been called. Some give up their journey of faith realizing they don’t measure up to what the Lord requires of them thinking it’s our works that make us right with God. This is where legalism gains a foothold to produce a cruel representation of faith demanding others live within the same prison of bondage. As the word of God exposes our insufficiency, a great revelation is waiting to be revealed.

Scripture is clear about the purpose of God’s word, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable” (Hebrews 4: 12-13). The words “nothing” and “everything” reveal the depth of God’s exposure.

As God’s word strips away all our excuses, He makes us naked before Him where we have no choice but to trust Him or walk away in disbelief.  Because we cannot meet the biblical standards of righteousness, Jesus had to become our High Priest to fulfill what we could not accomplish. 

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (vs. 14-16). Being made naked before God is a good thing. It creates humility in our hearts and a constant need for God’s mercy.

The word of God is not a weapon to expose and destroy people with whom we disagree. Our nakedness before God creates mercy in our hearts and offers us an opportunity to extend grace through our words and actions to other people when they fail to meet the standards of Scripture.

An understanding of God’s word and what Jesus accomplished in His death, resurrection, and enthronement, will create a boldness in us as we approach the throne of God. That bold approach is not because of human merit. It is because of the completed work of Christ.

As we approach the Lord with a boldness based on what Jesus accomplished as our High Priest, we will find God’s grace waiting for us to help us in those times when we need God’s grace the most, especially when we have failed to meet the standards of God’s word or acted in an unloving way towards others who are naked and in need of our compassion.