We live and love based on the authority of God’s word.

Hebrews 7:20-21 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, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”); The author of Hebrews magnifies Jesus’ authority by again contrasting how each was appointed. God’s appointment of the Levitical priests did not come with an oath, meaning God could terminate their service. His word did not prevent Him from replacing them. However, in contrast, because Jesus was appointed a priest with an oath, we should have great confidence to trust in Jesus. Since God swore Him into office and won’t change His mind, Jesus serves with authority forever. No one loves perfectly. We are all weak and sometimes overcome with natural, selfish, demonic impulses. How can one approach God’s throne with confidence to ask for grace to help when he or she has so many times turned their backs on Him and tried to do things in their own strength, or even worse, knowingly repeated sinful actions and spoke hurtful, damaging words? What makes them think God forgives their sins? How can He and be just? What kind of love can just wave a hand and turn a blind eye to such adultery and treachery? Perhaps human love can just overlook transgressions, but holy, just, righteous love cannot. The love of righteousness demands that sins must be punished, atoned for, and justice served. The very foundation of His throne is righteousness and justice, but lovingkindness and truth go before Him. (Ps. 89:14). It is for this reason that God swore when He appointed Jesus to be a priest forever. He could intercede for the transgressors. Listen to Isaiah’s revelation of the Messiah, God’s appointed high priest. Isaiah 53:10-12 But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt coffering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge [knowledge of what? Their iniquities] the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors. Consider the hope this fosters in the hearts of those who trust in Jesus and draw near to Him when they sin and need mercy and when they need grace to love. They can rest in the reality that Almighty God, their heavenly Father, cannot deny Jesus when He intercedes for them. Not only does He intercede for them, asking for God to be merciful, but He also advocates for them. He stands beside them to comfort them and give them grace to love with Him. This is the reality of living to love with Jesus. We live and love based on the authority of God’s word (His oath) regarding His Son, our high priest, our Savior, and constant, gentle companion.