Access to God is paramount
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
It is such a privilege for us – who were once enemies of Christ in our sinful state – to now have access to the God of all creation.
That wonderful opportunity came with such a huge price tag. It required the shed blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
For us, access to the God of heaven is paramount. We go to Him in prayer, for comfort, for communion, for guidance, for strength, for direction – basically for all our needs.
What a privilege! What would we do without that?
Some aren’t aware that the God who created them can be accessed in a very personal manner. There is an avenue to God. Jesus Christ paved the way. He restored the bridge that was broken.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (I Timothy 2:5-6)
Jesus, then, is the one and only bridge to God. How do we find that access? The answer is found in Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Wonderful!
Faith in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection accesses us into God’s grace, wherein lies much power. There is power for forgiveness, healing and a life that pleases God. The Lord said unto Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Grace is full of love and power.
There is such authority and power in God’s grace to not only forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, but to keep us righteous in Him.
Consider the following verses (11-12) in the second chapter of Titus: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Thank the Lord for providing a way for us to access the heavenly realm. We need that.
If you look back at the Old Testament tabernacle, only the High Priest was allowed access to the Holy of Holies. He went in once annually to bring an animal blood sacrifice for his sins and the peoples’ sins. The process was required to go just as God outlined. If not, there were consequences.
Not just anybody could access the Holy of Holies. Hebrews 9 gives an account in verses 6-8.
“Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second, went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing”
This is where Jesus comes in. When the Lord died on the cross, something miraculous occurred with the curtain – or veil – in the temple.
Matthew 27:50-51 says it this way: “Jesus, when he cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…”
Praise God! The significance of the veil ripping from top to bottom was that all men – through the blood of Jesus Christ – now had the opportunity to access God not in the tabernacle made by men’s hands, but the one in heaven.
Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection and placed His blood in the true Holy of Holies. He is now the High Priest over the house of God through offering His own blood sacrifice.
The animal sacrifices that began when God made Adam and Eve coats of skin resulted in the death of those animals. But Jesus, who sacrificed His blood, conquered the grave through His holiness and resurrection.
Now, we can boldly – or confidently with assurance – access God in heaven. Wow!
Hebrews 9:19-22 states, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holies by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
We can find help in time of need by accessing God, according to Hebrews 4:15-16.
“For we have not an high priest which 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.”
Sam Kaufman pastors The Church of God at 405 13th Ave. N in Alex City. Contact him at 432 266-0154.