To ascend is laborious, and difficult and therefore steps are a contrivance to reach an object which otherwise we could not attain. In material and physical things, this is a great convenience, and often necessary. Not so however in the things of God "neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar." If man would meet God, he must not have steps to do it. This is not allowed: neither is it necessary; because God has come down to meet man, where he is.
This is a thought strange to man's unbelieving heart, who feels himself away from God. No one would make steps or use them to reach that which was near. They would feel that it was not needed. Is not then God near? Is it not "in Him we live, and move, and have our being?”
Shall we say then, “who shall ascend into heaven to bring Christ down?.... The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Yes, the word of salvation is nigh thee. There is no need to ascend.
No steps are needed to go up to God. Christ has come down; and God meets US through Him where we are, and just as we are. Self-elevation is not necessary.
It would be a false position we should thus occupy before God, and ruinous to us. God has met us in Christ as we are, and where we are. As we are, we must come to God through Christ, and sins being forgiven and consciences purged, worship Him there. This is the place of our altar.
“An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me."
“While we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Yes, as we are, where we are, God meets us in Christ and then we worship Him. He will have no steps. Can the sinner step out of his sins to meet God, as not being such an one? Impossible.
God in His love to us has forbidden it. Do you see this, my friend? Then if you have been approaching God by steps, give it up at once.
The Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, has stepped down from heaven's highest glory; even as low as the cross, to be made sin there: that by faith you might by Him come to God as you are. What love in Him 1 What liberty and joy to the heart to a weary step-maker! "To him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Will you meet God thus, and praise and thank Him that He has graciously said that your steps are not needed to His altar? G. R.