The deeper we fall into sin, the less we feel like we deserve God's grace, and so the more hesitant we are to ask Him for it. What a tragic contradiction! If you don't feel you're worthy to approach the throne, good, you're not. You're filthy. Isaiah actually tells us that our sin is so abominable, even our righteous deeds are like filthy rags (64:6). I've even heard, though I'm not sure how accurate this is, that a more appropriate translation would be used menstrual cloths.
But at what point should this hinder us from coming to God? Does it hinder God Himself from seeking us? Far from it. The author of Hebrews tells us that as deep as we fall into sin, we're not alone. Jesus never sinned Himself, but there is no temptation you have ever faced that He didn't experience in some form during His trip to the Earth. Everything you've done, He's familiar with it, He can sympathise with you. And so, Paul reasons, we should boldly approach the throne of grace.
Grace. What a beautiful word. It's almost alien to us, as a sinful species. In our vanity, we divide each other by "good" and "bad". If we're not so arrogant as to insist God owes us the Kingdom on a silver platter, we suffer the other side of pride. The side that says "God, I am not worthy of you, and so I will not come when you call." But Jesus says to you "I don't care what you are worthy of! I am worthy to give it to you!"
A similar situation is found in the scriptures. A man, seeing who Jesus was, begged Him "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" But Jesus wasn't having any of that. He looked at this man with nothing but love in His eyes. Today, we know this man as Peter. (See Luke 5:1-11).
But what if I've crossed the line this time? What if I did something so bad, even Jesus cannot forgive it? Or what if I've done this too many times? I mean, come on! This is such a persistent struggle, it's almost like I haven't repented! So perhaps I shouldn't be so bold in approaching this throne...
Now find me that in the Bible. Where does it say "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us (except you, Brian)" (Ephesians 2:4, brackets added)? Or where does it say "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (Unless you went too far this time)." (John 3:16, brackets added)? Or can you find me "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. (Unless you've done that particular sin more than a certain number of times)." (Romans 10:9, brackets added)? There aren't any exceptions! Specific or general, grace is seen as a gift that anyone can take!
And so we get onto "but if He'd known..." As if God, the Deity who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), somehow overlooked the fact that you were going to have a few (cough) little glitches in your life. He knows what you're doing right now! He knows what you're struggling with. What is it? Porn? Gluttony? Gambling? Anger? Profanity? Adultery? Homosexuality? Maybe even, by God's grace, you have even been able to access this post from death row, and you, having committed some of the worst crimes imaginable, now know Jesus.
I have some excellent news. God knew all of that from the moment He said "let there be light". Because of the way God experiences time, nothing you have ever done was out of His sight before, during or after His crucifixion. The moment He closed His eyes in death is exactly as present to Him as the moment you will close yours. So yes, He knew. He knew where you've been, He knew where you are, He knew where you're going to be, because all of it is His past, present, and future.
So what's left? You don't think you're good enough? Great, you're not. That's the point! You think you're too far gone, or too persistent in sin? The Bible lists no exceptions, by name or by type. No one is beyond grace. You think God didn't know what He was getting into? Of course He did! He's omniscient! He knew what He was getting into! Nothing, and I repeat nothing, is powerful enough to separate you from God's grace. He's sitting right there on His throne, willing you to take it. Don't hesitate.
Recommended song: Already There - Casting Crowns