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在其他宗教中，亲近神是很不容易的——甚至是不被允许的。在犹太传统中，进入至圣所是被禁止的。只有大祭司可以，而且一年只有一次。

很多人以为神是严厉、发怒的神。连亲近神的想法都不愿意有。

那是因为，在内心深处，我们知道自己错了。我们是罪人。我们的生命被罪玷污了。我们得罪了创造我们、爱我们、想赐给我们丰盛生命的神。况且，神是圣洁无瑕的，我们在祂面前不能站立。

然而，因着基督在十字架上的工作，祂为我们开了一条被宽恕的路，使我们拥有与神同在的新生命。耶稣使我们藉着祂得以与神建立直接的关系。

所以，现在作者鼓励我们，不但要想到亲近神，更要有信心这样做。有信心就是确信我们在做正确的事。

因着耶稣，因着祂为我们的罪所作的赎价，我们就可以坦然无惧地亲近神。

In other religions, drawing near to God is not considered easy—or even allowed. In the Jewish tradition, to enter into the Most Holy Place was forbidden. Only the high priest could do that—and only once a year.

Many people have a view of God as an angry God. To even think about drawing near to God is not something they want to do.

That’s because, deep down, we know we have done wrong. We are sinners. Our lives are stained with sin. We have offended the God who made us and loves us and wants us to have full life. What’s more, God is holy and perfect, and on our own we cannot stand before him.

But because of Christ’s work on the cross, he opens the way for us to be forgiven and to have new life with God. Jesus has made it possible for us to have a direct connection with God, and that is through himself.

So here we have the encouragement to not only think about drawing near to God but to have the confidence to do so. Having confidence is being assured that we are doing the right thing.

Because of Jesus, because of his finished work to atone for our sins, we can approach God and draw near to him in full assurance of faith.