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 a precious Bible verse describing our relationship with the Trinity. Through him (Jesus), we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access to the Father through one Spirit. 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 they feel inadequate. They focus on their inability to be holy through their own efforts rather than on the finished work of Jesus Christ, which declared them righteous through faith.
The shame they feel causes them to run and hide from God (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?"
I pray that we will all know that today, we have access to our Father in heaven in Christ through the Spirit of God that lives in us. We don't have to cower away in shame or fear; we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we don't stand on our own merit but in the very life of Jesus Himself.
May the Holy Spirit 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 a precious Bible verse describing our relationship with the Trinity. Through him (Jesus), we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access to the Father through one Spirit. 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 they feel inadequate. They focus on their inability to be holy through their own efforts rather than on the finished work of Jesus Christ, which declared them righteous through faith.
The shame they feel causes them to run and hide from God (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?"
I pray that we will all know that today, we have access to our Father in heaven in Christ through the Spirit of God that lives in us. We don't have to cower away in shame or fear; we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we don't stand on our own merit but in the very life of Jesus Himself.
May the Holy Spirit 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)