Introduction
     The most outstanding achievements of mankind do not compare to the extraordinary ability to access and approach the throne of Yahweh. It is through His precious Son, Yahshua, that we have this access today. To draw close to the Creator Who made us, and everything else in the universe; to Him who dwells in unapproachable light, far removed from sin and any figurative darkness, should be the ultimate goal of every man, woman, and child. But it is only by His will that we can even think of approaching and drawing near to Him.
    How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple, Psalm 65:4.(The New American Standard Bible, 1995 version, is used throughout.)

Mystery Revealed
     In ancient times, it was a mystery how Yahweh had divorced Israel for being an unfaithful bride and could then, be restored after being put away. Yahweh was faithful to His promises to Abraham, that through Isaac, a unique people would arise on the earth – a people destined to show and proclaim the surpassing excellencies of His majesty.
    Of this Assembly I was made a minister according to the stewardship from Elohim bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of Elohim, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom Elohim willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:25-27.
    The “Gentiles,” as a people, are, in fact, a reference to the descendants of Israel. (Read our free Mini-Study entitled, The Hope of Israel for an overview of this exciting Good News.)
    For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Messiah Yahshua for the sake of you Gentiles – if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of Elohim’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Messiah, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Messiah Yahshua through the evangel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of Elohim’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Messiah, Ephesians 3:1-8.
    Hence, a principal reason the Apostle Paul emphasized knowing Yahshua and having received forgiveness through Him, is such a wonderful and exceeding greatness over anything else he could possibly have known or experienced.
    But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Messiah. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Messiah Yahshua my Master, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Messiah, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Messiah, the righteousness which comes from Elohim on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Messiah Yahshua. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Elohim in Messiah Yahshua, Philippians 3:7-14. (For further clarification, request your free Combined Studies booklet, entitled, Paul and The Law.)

A Mirror Image
     Often, the disciples would inquire of Yahshua the meaning of what He had said, as they didn’t understand some of His statements. Once, in reply to Thomas and Philip’s queries, Yahshua answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Master, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Yahshua said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves,” John 14:6-11.
    This passage certainly reflects creative attributes, showcasing a full spectrum of emotions ranging from frustration to love and is a glimpse of Who He Is, a Spirit Being, and that He has eternity within Himself and by just speaking a word, that physical matter came into existence.
    In Genesis 1:27, we are told, Elohim created man in His own image, in the image of Elohim He created him; male and female He created them. And though Yahshua now sits at the right hand of His Father, we still can know the Father through Him, because Yahshua is a mirror reflection of the Father. Yahshua, the only-begotten Son of Yahweh, and by self-declaration, the Son of man – that is, created in the image of man – is both fully Elohim and man.
    Paul said that we look in a mirror dimly, but then face to face (1 Cor. 13:12). They which have a portion of Yahweh’s Spirit, will be like Him – seeing Him as He is – in His glorified body when He returns (1 John 3:2).
    Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 13:12, we read further, “… now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”
    The words, “know” and “known,” can also be translated as “understand” and “understood.” By interposing “understand” and “understood” for “know” and “known” in Yahshua’s replies to Thomas and Philip’s queries in John 14, we get a better appreciation of Yahshua’s answers to them.
    If you had [understood] Me, you would have [understood] My Father also; from now on you [understand] Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Master, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Yahshua said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to [understand] Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:7-9.
    This also gives clarity to what Paul reiterated from Isaiah 40:13, and also referenced in Romans 11:34, in writing 1 Corinthians 2:16: For WHO HAS KNOWN (understood) THE MIND OF YAHWEH, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Messiah.

Fellow Citizens in Elohim’s Household
     For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father, so then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Elohim’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Messiah Yahshua Himself being the Corner Stone, in Whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in Yahweh, in Whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of Elohim in the Spirit, Ephesians 2:18-22.
    Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Yahshua, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of Elohim, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near, Hebrews 10:19-25.
    Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me, Ephesians 2:11.
    By His Spirit, we find unity through the Messiah – no longer “separate[d] from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world” (Eph. 2:12). By His Word Which cannot lie, we are drawn close to Yahweh, “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise; given as a pledge of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:22). This relationship, having been called out of gross darkness and into marvelous light, is far better (1 Pet. 2:9).

By Faith Alone?
     There are steps toward drawing closer to the Father: Repentance from dead works; faith come by hearing; obedience to the commandments; immersion in Yahshua’s Name with the laying on of hands by the presbytery toward receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit to help us to the end, overcoming the world.
    While none of these steps can be dispensed with in undertaking to draw close to Yahweh, but one stands out above every other: Faith. For it is written, And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, Hebrews 11:6.
    Indeed, though some should have the good news preached to them, the Word they hear cannot profit them without It being united by faith in those who hear (Heb. 4:2).
    To emphasize that faith doesn’t work alone, the Apostle James writes, But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that Elohim is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:18-20.
    Thus, the rallying cry of fida sola (faith alone) that was proclaimed during the 16th century reformation movement, is at variance with what was understood by the Apostles and the whole of Scripture which they preached. Yahweh Himself says, So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am Yahweh, Leviticus 18:5.
Knowing what Yahweh says, helps us to know how to draw close to Him.
    Draw near to Elohim and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded, James 4:8.

Purified by His Sacrifice
     The innocent blood of the Messiah truly cleanses us (Heb. 9:11-26). This, together with water immersion into His Name (Acts 4:12), purifies and prepares us for receiving a portion of Yahweh’s Spirit. This is similar to the Levitical priestly process of offering animal sacrifices and the ceremonial washings of water by which Israel could acceptably approach Yahweh during the tabernacle and temple eras.
    We should note, however, that with regard to these ceremonial rites performed by the Levitical order, some confuse the change in the law (Heb. 7:18-19, “former regulations”) as somehow meaning all the laws, statutes and ordinances of Yahweh. Certain aspects of the priestly laws, such as clothing, temple work, ceremonial practices, sacrificial rituals, civil regulations, and laws concerning warfare, have been changed through the Messiah Whose priesthood is superior to what was instituted under the Levitical order. But the fundamental laws, ordinances, and statutes that guide how humanity should live, and obedience to which purifies and protects us, remain unchanged – for example, And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18.
    Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Messiah, 1 Peter 1:13-19.

Salvation, not Based on “Works”
     With these clear statements from Scripture in mind, we get an understanding that bring us to the conclusion, that salvation is not a “works” process.
    He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Yahshua Messiah our Savior, Titus 3:5-6.
    Therefore, If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light (Psa. 36:9), we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahshua His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 John 1:7-9.
    This whole process brings us into a new order – the Melchizedek order – superior to the Levitical process of becoming sanctified through the performance of various “regulations that were imposed until the time of reformation” (Heb. 9:9).
    For it is attested of Him, “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.” For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to Elohim. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “YAHWEH HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, ‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”); so much the more also Yahshua has become the guarantee of a better covenant. The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Yahshua, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently, Hebrews 7:17-24.
    In Messiah Yahshua, we find more emphasis on the spiritual when it comes to sacrifices.
    Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to Elohim, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices Elohim is pleased, Hebrews 13:15-16. (For more information, read our free In-Depth booklet, Orthodox Followers.)

Our Focus
     We must ask ourselves, are we putting in the time to truly wanting to draw close to Yahweh? If our focus is wrong, our outcome will also be wrong. The result we are looking for, is a closer relationship with Yahweh; to have our movement and being in Yahshua Who always did those things pleasing to His Father (John 8:29).
    King David, whom the Scripture records as a man after Yahweh’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14), often meditated and focused on Him.
    One thing I have asked from Yahweh, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yahweh and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock, Psalm 27:4-5.
    Yahshua often pointed us to the Father.
    While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” But Yahshua answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father, Who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother,” Matthew 12:46-50.
    The Apostle Paul, too, though having said all was a loss compared to gaining Messiah, also knew His first and foremost focus, and ours also, should be on the Father.
    For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Messiah which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of Elohim, Ephesians 3:14-19.
    Therefore be imitators of Elohim, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Elohim as a fragrant aroma, Ephesians 5:1-2.
    In another place, where Paul introduced the proper headship in relationship to Yahweh, he said,
    Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Messiah. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that Messiah is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and Elohim is the head of Messiah, 1 Corinthians 11:1–3.
    While awaiting his company’s arrival from Thessaly, Paul said to some at Athens, who had an altar and inscription “To An Unknown Mighty One,” The Elohim who made the world and all things in it, since He is Master of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man (Adam) every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek Elohim, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, “For we also are His children.” Being then the children of Elohim, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, Elohim is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead, Acts 17:24-31.
    Paul’s focus here is on the Father, and His resurrected Son. And this is the message: Some in ignorance think Yahweh’s will is only to believe in His Son. It is not. Much more is it Yahweh’s will that men live a sanctified life toward Yahweh because of having been purchased with the blood of His Son, as it is written:
    Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, whom you have from Elohim, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify Elohim in your body, 1 Corinthians 6:19–-20.
    Again, the focus of all Scripture is on the Father, through acknowledging the redemptive work of His Son. That is the correct understanding to be able to draw closer to Him.

Conclusion
     Much, much more could be said about walking in His Spirit and in His truth, praying, fasting, Bible study, attending services, keeping the Feasts, avoiding those things that can entangle us – all these things we should be doing, and more!
    And though we may not always feel His presence, He is nevertheless as near as our calling upon Him.
    Yahweh is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. Yahweh keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh, and all flesh will bless His Holy Name forever and ever, Psalm 145:18-21.
    The prophet Isaiah speaks further:
    Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David, Isaiah 55:3.
    “Incline your ear … come … listen” – yet, the only way to truly draw close to Yahweh is through Yahshua. Remember, He Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).