FEBRUARY 17
IN CHRIST WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER
Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (WEB)
This is one of those precious Bible verses that describes our relationship with the Trinity. For through him (Jesus) we both (Jew & Gentile) have access in one Spirit to the Father. Jesus Christ is the way to the Father (John 14:6) period. It is IN Him that we can approach the throne of mercy with confidence, any time day or night by the Holy Spirit that lives in us.
Many well meaning believers struggle to approach their Heavenly Father because of their own feelings of inadequacy or failure. They focus on their inability to be holy in their own efforts rather than focusing on the finished work of Jesus Christ that declared them righteous through faith.
The shame they feel causes them to run and hide from God (just like Adam and Eve) and cover their shame with fig leaves of their own making. But just as God searched for Adam and Eve in the garden, He searches us out too! His Father's heart cries out... Where are you?
My prayer is that we would all know that today, right now, we have access to our Father in heaven in Christ by the Spirit of God that lives in us. We don't have to cower away in shame or fear, but we can approach the throne of grace with confidence knowing that we don't stand in our own merit, but in the very life of Jesus Himself.
May the Holy Spirit that dwells within us bear witness to this truth today and may we run into the arms of our Heavenly Father with complete abandon and cry out 'Abba, Father!'.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. (WEB)
For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (WEB)
This is one of those precious Bible verses that describes our relationship with the Trinity. For through him (Jesus) we both (Jew & Gentile) have access in one Spirit to the Father. Jesus Christ is the way to the Father (John 14:6) period. It is IN Him that we can approach the throne of mercy with confidence, any time day or night by the Holy Spirit that lives in us.
Many well meaning believers struggle to approach their Heavenly Father because of their own feelings of inadequacy or failure. They focus on their inability to be holy in their own efforts rather than focusing on the finished work of Jesus Christ that declared them righteous through faith.
The shame they feel causes them to run and hide from God (just like Adam and Eve) and cover their shame with fig leaves of their own making. But just as God searched for Adam and Eve in the garden, He searches us out too! His Father's heart cries out... Where are you?
My prayer is that we would all know that today, right now, we have access to our Father in heaven in Christ by the Spirit of God that lives in us. We don't have to cower away in shame or fear, but we can approach the throne of grace with confidence knowing that we don't stand in our own merit, but in the very life of Jesus Himself.
May the Holy Spirit that dwells within us bear witness to this truth today and may we run into the arms of our Heavenly Father with complete abandon and cry out 'Abba, Father!'.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. (WEB)