Access
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
(Rom 5:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2} through whom also we
have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in
hope of the glory of God.
(Eph 2:18-20 NKJV) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit
to the Father. {19} Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and
foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the
household of God, {20} having been built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner
stone,
(Eph 3:10-12 NKJV) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God
might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in
the heavenly places, {11} according to the eternal purpose which He
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, {12} in whom we have boldness
and access with confidence through faith in Him.
Access is universal - for all who believe. The astonishing revelation
of the New Testament was that both Jews and Gentiles could have
confident access to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This
seems a commonplace nowadays but it was a deep mystery and an
astonishing revelation then and took the Church about 60 years to
come to terms with. That people of widely different cultures could
be saved without completely changing their cultural norms or being
circumcised or adopting new customs was astonishing. As much as we
may dislike some cultures - we will find them all in glory! "(Rev 7:9
NKJV) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude
which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and
tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with
white robes, with palm branches in their hands,"
Access means privilege. Apparently the keyword among the political
lobbyists in Washington is "access" - people are ranked by how much
access they have to the key seats of power. We have more access to
power than any lobbyist has ever dreamed of! We have access to God!
Direct access as sons. The children of the President have access. We
have intimate access - we have access to the Father at the level of
His Spirit. We go straight to His heart. (Eph 2:18-20 NKJV) For
through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. {19} Now,
therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow
citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, {20}
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
It is access based on a strong and peaceful relationship of good
standing. "(Rom 5:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2}
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we
stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We are not only God's
sons but we are His friends. As the verses above tell us the
relationship is peaceful, good, gracious and full of rejoicing. It is
a relationship based on forgiveness - not on Law. Access based on
love - not power and utilitarian concerns. We have the ultimate
political relationship - a close personal relationship with God
Almighty who has adopted us into His family as sons and intends for
us to inherit a Kingdom.
It is access built on frequent confident two-way communication. I
have deduced this mainly from the phrase "fellow citizens with the
saints and members of the household of God" in Eph 2:19. If we are
sons of God and members of His household then surely He will talk to
us and let us talk to Him! Eph 3:12 says "{12} in whom we have
boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.". Boldness
and access with confidence sounds like I can talk to God anytime I
want and He will listen! Isn't that what the NT teaches us about
prayer. That we can come anytime in faith and be heard? And what
sort of access would it be if we were only met with a grim religious
silence? God is not a mute idol! God talks! God communicates with
the believer and we need to expect to, and learn to, hear His
voice!
This access is not just a nice spiritual idea. It is part of God's
eternal strategy to give power to His Church and triumph over the
principalities and powers in the heavenly realms. His giving us
access to Him is so that His wisdom may be demonstrated in the
Church. O Lord you have chosen us, frail vessels to display your
Wisdom! O Lord strange and marvellous are Your ways! (Eph 3:10-12
NKJV) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be
made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the
heavenly places, {11} according to the eternal purpose which He
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, {12} in whom we have boldness
and access with confidence through faith in Him.
When You come to pray marvel at the access you have to Almighty God.
Believe you are a privileged supplicant in the courts of Heaven.
Remember you are a citizen there. You have every right to be there.
You have come to Mt Zion - now pray as if you are standing in the
midst of the fire!
Prayer:
Lord set our prayer lives on fire as we know with certainty that we
have access to Your heavenly courts. Amen.
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John Edmiston ([email protected])
Editor - Eternity Online Magazine http://www.eternity-magazine.org/
Cults, exegesis, bible teaching, Christian life and leadership.
For the thinking Christian!