Given Access

Sunday, July 21, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:11-13

From the beginning of Creation, God had perfect fellowship with man. But when Adam sinned, that fellowship was broken. No longer did Adam look forward to spending time with God, but in shame hid himself. Since that time, sin has continued to stand as a barrier between God and men. Nothing we can do could reach across that divide. In the wonderful Hymn “Rock of Ages,” Augustus Toplady wrote:

            Not the labor of my hands
            Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
            Could my zeal no respite know,
            Could my tears forever flow,
            All for sin could not atone;
            Thou must save, and Thou alone.

What we could never do, Jesus did for us. His death and resurrection made salvation possible. It also places us into God’s family, giving us the qualification and permission to come to God as a loving Father just as Adam did before the Fall. “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2). Jesus shed His precious blood to bring us back into fellowship with God.

Yet like spoiled children, many times we ignore the amazing grace and love of our Father, and neglect to spend time with Him. Given access to a close fellowship with God, instead we choose to fill our hearts and minds with frivolous or even sinful things. Salvation offers us fellowship, but we must live in it.

Today's Growth Principle: 

The access we have to God is a precious treasure, and we should thank God for it…and take advantage of it.