Going Directly to God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

1 Timothy 2:5–7

I read about a missionary who was witnessing to a Catholic lady and trying to show hepplwazr the need for Jesus. The lady was very devout, and told the missionary that she prayed to Mary every day. “She is so close to Jesus, and she takes my prayers to Him,” the lady said. The missionary thought for a moment and then responded, “But if you were sick, would you call the doctor’s mother, or would you call the doctor?”

One of the great benefits that comes with our salvation is the ability to go to God directly. We do not need priests or intercessors. Christ Himself is our mediator and intercessor, and we need no other. We have been given the standing to come to God on our own. “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). Grace has made us fit to be in God’s presence, not because we are perfect, but because Jesus is, and His righteousness is applied to our account.

The tragedy is that despite having been given this incredible privilege, many Christians do not take advantage of it. They go through life depending on their own resources and abilities rather than seeking God’s face and rejoicing in His presence. We rightly decry the folly of the atheist who denies the existence of God, yet some believers do not pray any more than an atheist does. We need to recognize what God offers us and regularly come into His presence.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Do not fail to take advantage of the access to God’s presence that you have been afforded by grace.