Boldness to Enter His Presence (Because He Loves Us)

Read Hebrews 10:19-25

God has always wanted us with Him, close to Him, in His presence. In the olden days (old testament) He made the ritual of the high priest entering the Holy of Holies only maybe after intense steps and careful effort. This was to make a point -- to show how special, how valuable, how worthy His presence is and how unworthy we are in a fallen state (because of sin). It shows that aside from Him, our own righteousness is like filthy rags. 

At the same time, however, it shows how that unworthiness was not our original state, and not where God chooses to have us stay. We were made in His image and in His likeness, with righteousness. We are valuable to Him, beyond any other created being. This is shown in the painstaking feat that Christ was willing to endure all for the purpose of restoring us to a righteous, close and personal state with our Father, the One who made us and intended us for His purpose and presence. He makes us righteous, just, clean, great and worthy. He restores us to that original worth and value -- through Christ.

The verses also say we CAN now boldly enter the Holy place in His presence. We no longer have to go through a ritual or have someone else go to God on our behalf because of the Ultimate Sacrifice - Christ. After all of that work Christ endured to restore us, He does not force us, but invites and makes available to us His love, help and presence. He loves and values us and wouldn't trade us for anything else in Heaven or on earth.

To Do List Truth

A relationship with God is not being a part of an organization and doing this or that.
It is not paying tithes or praying before bed.
It is not doing my Bible study for the day or attending church.
It is not volunteering because "I am supposed to."
It is not "paying dues" or "checking something off the list" so that I can move on with "my" life or day.
It is not giving this or that to cover myself and say I did my part.

Yes, some of those things are important aspects along the way and to help build and strengthen us, but really...
It is about living life in all that you do "through" Him.
Letting Him take the reigns.
Seeking Him first.
Depending on Him.
Continuing in Him.
It does not mean that you are perfect, without flaw or that you can't make mistakes.
It means you'll tell God:

"I know that I can't do this thing called life on my own. I know that I need your help. I want to have a successful life and to do your will but I don't know how. Lead me, guide me, take control, show me and be patient with me, give me an ear to hear and to be attentive to your voice and to what you are speaking to me at any given moment. Cause me to know you deeply and intimately - to be one with you. Be the center of my life. Here's my heart, it's yours. Here's my will, it's yours. I'm going to keep on moving and living, and whole doing so, moment by moment, I'm going to open myself to hear you and to sense where you are leading me. I trust that your will is what's best for me and that all things will work our for me. I trust that your heart is only good towards me and that you would never seek harm for my life, but that you love me unconditionally and want things to go well for me. I'm open to you. When I don't understand I will seek you and wait patiently for your direction and for what I feel and sense you are showing me to do. I will act on what you show me to do (regardless of how I feel)."

A relationship with God may include all of the above, but it's centered in what a wise man said in Proverbs 3:5-6...
It's not "doing" things perfectly, but rather, trusting in Him with all of your heart (above what you see & hear daily before you) and not leaning to your own understanding (consulting yourself, going with what you think or by the wisdom of the world & it's ways alone).  It's acknowledging Him in all of your ways (seeking His direction in all that you do before and while doing it; clinging to Him); so that He can direct you (guide you in the way that will work for your good).

It's something that cannot be checked off. It is lived intently, from deep inside of your heart.