Access to God

 

 

My hubby ‘retired’ but still works part-time. His company closed most of their office space but allowed employees to take their computers home. Besides his personal laptop and monitor, he has another laptop and two large monitors on his desk with wires everywhere. I tease him that his den looks like the backroom of a computer store. While he enjoys his consulting work, sometimes he cannot access the company network. With their IT people all over the world, it can take a while to find someone who can help him. This morning I am comparing that with God — who is far more ACCESSIBLE!

In the OT access to God was through the priests and the place of worship. His people came to Him how and where He designated in ways that we look upon as ritual and strict. Perhaps this was to show them not to take this privilege lightly or for granted. On many occasions they were told that approaching Him was dangerous, even deadly, suggesting that God’s holiness and man’s sin were utterly incompatible. Their high priests were required to be holy and obedient. In one passage, a prophet was shown the importance of this in order for the high priest to stand before God or anyone else:

Zechariah 3:7. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.”

The OT people of faith always had good intentions yet they failed many times to remain true to the Lord. They needed a Savior and the good news. Finally, the love of God sent Jesus so that all who believe in Him are saved from the penalty and power of sin — and have access to God the Father.

Ephesians 2:18. “For through him we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Ephesians 3:11–12. “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

Access to God is included in salvation as is peace with God and assurance of our eternal relationship with Him. That is, I am in His presence in a personal way and filled with the joy of knowing my future.

Romans 5:1–2. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

I can also pray anytime and anywhere. He invites me to “pray without ceasing” and even helps me know how to pray and what to pray because of His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This access to God relates to the OT in that it is through a high priest, but that priest is now the Lord Jesus Christ:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” and “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 and 10:19–22)

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. The saints of old talked to God too, just as the Scriptures reveal, particularly the Psalms. They knew He is accessible. The NT church continually relied on Him and His presence with them. Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray and to receive His instructions and strength from His heavenly Father. God is not behind closed doors for His people. Only those who shut Him out are denied this accessibility because unforgiven sin, particularly the sin of refusing Jesus Christ as Savior, will separate unrepentant sinners from the glory of knowing Him. How foolish I would be to live as if I could figure out life and handle even mundane affairs by myself when I have access to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the One who is all goodness, wisdom and power. He makes Himself entirely accessible to me!