Access Granted!

Part 2 of 3

We've just seen the great peace that becomes our very own upon accepting the justification offered by the cross of our Lord. It's a peace that we struggle to justly describe; a peace that reaches far beyond our comprehension and explanation. Today, I want to observe another benefit and effect of the saint's justification before God: ACCESS!

What do we mean when we say "access"? What does it entail? What are we given access to? These questions and more we will seek to discover.

Paul has said, "Therefore being justified by faith... We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand..." (Rom 5:1-2). Let it be understood, that "access into" the grace of God is a far reaching concept. "Access into grace" means that we are now made able to access, attain unto, and appropriate all that the grace of God can provide for us! Friends, this is a tremendous and multi-faceted blessing, of which I will do my best to describe.

The Greek word used for "access" is "prosagōgē", and means "the act of bringing into; a moving to; an approach to God". Another translation of this verse says, "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand" (NLT).

Upon our justification, we have stepped from one state into another; we have left the former state of cursing and come into the state of God's blessing and favor. We have moved from our position "in Adam" to "in Christ"; we have been granted access into His glorious covering, no longer to suffer the detrimental consequences of Adam's sinful headship!

The Bible gives us a glimpse into the access we've been granted. Observe...

Access into grace... Paul tells us, "Therefore being justified by faith... We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand..." (Rom 5:1-2). The word "grace" is "charis" in Greek, and means, "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; benefit, favor, acceptance." Aren't you grateful that we now have access into this "state of favor and acceptance"? Without the grace of God, even justified believers would be hopeless! Peter told his readers that such grace is the very ground that we stand upon (1 Pet 5:12)! Reader, this "gospel of the grace of God" is the very tool whereby we may finish our courses with joy (Acts 20:24)! What a privilege then to partake of it!

Access to the Father... Paul has said, "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph 2:18). Friends, no longer are we orphans.. Now we've been granted a holy heritage, and are therefore "no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Eph 2:19). Jesus, our perfect Mediator has made us acceptable children to a holy God. We simply cannot approach Him apart from His Lamb! Apart from King Jesus, this access is wholly denied. Yes, it is a straight gate and it is a narrow path, but it leads to eternal life. Broad is the gate, and broad is the path that leads to destruction, and many go in thereby. Yet, clinging to this strait gate will grant us entrance before the Father, for Jesus is the only way, truth and life (Jn 14:6). He is the only door of the sheep (Jn 10:7). The road He has paved is the only acceptable route. Yes, this road is marked by blood, but it will bring us into fellowship and communion with the Father! All we must do is cling to HIS faith, "the faith of Him" (Eph 3:12).. His sufficient sacrifice is to be our confidence, and assurance of access (Heb 4:15-16)!

Access into God's Glory... The saint's justification has also given him the great privilege of God's glory! What was once a foreign concept to the ignorant unbeliever has now become the very home of his believing heart! What was before an occasion towards offense has now become the saints chiefest desire! And access into this new-found desire is only to be met by the blood of God's Son.. Paul tells us that Jesus' blood (i.e. justification) has provided us with boldness to enter the Holy of Holies, the realm of God's glory: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter [access into] the holiest 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..." (Heb 10:19-25)! Reader, such entrance upon Zion is only afforded by the costly blood of Jesus.. None may enter that special place without a heart "sprinkled from an evil conscience" (Heb 10:22), and bathed in that life-saving blood!

Oh the glorious fruit of justification!

To be continued...