ACCESS . . . UNTO THE FATHER

In this passage, a wonderful contrast is drawn, comparing what we were as lost, hell-deserving Gentiles with the position into which we have been brought through faith in the Saviour. Always, it is good to remember what we were - it is the best antidote to pride!

Skilfully, Paul says, ‘But now’ and continues with a torrent of truth based on the wonderful person of Christ and His work; past, present and future. ‘Ye are made nigh’ - enmity has been abolished; reconciliation between Jew and Gentile has been effected; He has preached peace; we are now fellow saints; we are built upon a foundation; ‘ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit’. Such a catalogue of blessing almost leaves us breathless, as does the whole letter, as we muse upon the wonder and effectiveness of the work of Christ.

Tucked away in the middle of all this is today’s verse ‘through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father’. The mediatorial role of the Son is emphasized here in the setting of prayer. Indeed, the Trinity is incorporated, for it is the Spirit who facilitates this access through the Son to the Father.

Had the Lord not come, there would have been no Calvary, no salvation, no reconciliation, and no access to the Father for the believer to enjoy today. The word ‘access’ is used here of one who secures the privilege of an interview with a sovereign! The wonder is that the One to whom we come in prayer is the Sovereign, the great Creator God, but here, ‘unto the Father’! How encouraging to appreciate this for, as a Father, God cares for us, watches over us, guides us and with awareness is able to meet our every need. For this access we don’t have to make an appointment. It is available and open to us every moment of every day. The question is, How often do I enter in and use this access? ‘The veil is rent, our souls draw near’, J. G. Deck - through Him let’s do it today, and every day.

But think again of the ‘we’. As we bow before our Father, we join with myriads around the world. We all come together, yet are heard as individuals. What a Father!