Boldness and Access
Have you ever thought about what a marvel it is that you and I, sinful creatures that we are, can actually talk to the omnipotent, omniscient, perfectly holy God that created the entire universe? We might be tempted to wonder how it could ever be possible, but it is. In fact, not only are we allowed to talk with God, we are invited to!
How is it that we can come before God? It is because of Christ. Ephesians 3:12 says, (referring to Christ,) “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.”
Just think: we have boldness to come to the Almighty God Himself.
Hebrews 4:14-16 explains a little further.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Our boldness is based on the fact that Jesus lived a human life. He faced the same temptations and difficulties we do, yet never sinned, not even once. Our boldness is based on the knowledge that He understands our needs. He knows us and loves us.
We also have access.
It is possible to attempt quite boldly to venture where one does not have access. In the realm of prayer, the unsaved do not have access to the throne of grace, except to confess their sin and plead the blood of Christ for salvation. For that, anyone and everyone is granted access, because it is asked through Christ. But the unsaved man or woman who asks God to do things for them, however boldly they may ask it, have no access to the throne of grace, no right to have their petition heard in the throne room of heaven.
This might seem harsh or unfair at first, but it is doctrinal. Hebrews says that it is because of our High Priest that we have both boldness and access, and Ephesians 3:12 again speaks of Christ being the source of our access. Without Christ, we have no access to the Father for salvation or for petition.
A student once said to me, having accepted Christ as her Savior the day before: “You mean, when I prayed and asked God for that yesterday, He didn’t hear me?” I wrestled with how to answer at first, because one doesn’t like to tell a child God didn’t hear their prayer, but the clear prerequisite for access is saving faith.
How glad I am that Christ has made it possible for us to have access to the holy, omnipotent, omniscient, just, loving, and merciful God!
My question for your today is, do you have access and boldness through Christ? And if so, what use are you making of it? After all, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required” (Luke 12:48)