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The Encarta on-line Dictionary defines access as “a means of entering or approaching a place.” To many with disabilities access means that they have the ability to enter or participate where otherwise they would be without such privileges. Politically access has a special meaning that relates to the availability of a person of influence to someone who desires a hearing or a favor from that person of influence. On the other hand, Access into Grace means the difference between eternal life and eternal condemnation.

Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5.1-4; emphasis mine, jb). Paul was the only New Testament writer to use this word; it appears but two other times, both of these being in the book of Ephesians. We will examine these two passages then close by returning to the focus text from Romans 5.

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2.14-18; emphasis mine, jb). The simple affirmation here is that both Jew and Gentile must approach the Father through the same person, Jesus Christ.

In a similar fashion, Paul affirmed that the entire gospel plan of salvation including the establishment of the Church was “…according to the eternal purpose which He [the Father] accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3.11-12; emphasis mine, jb). Man’s ability to draw nigh unto [access] God was not an afterthought; it was His plan from eternity! The fellowship that is implied by the believer’s access was and is a long standing desire of the Father that was realized only through the vicarious suffering and death of Jesus Christ. That having been accomplished, we now have access and boldness through the Son.

We now turn our thoughts again to Paul’s statement to the Roman believers. Paul clearly and positively affirmed that we have access into grace. Access is the ability to enter or participate; it is not entering or participation itself. A door to a building provides a way in but one must use the entrance granted in order to go inside the building. Just so, as human beings, a doorway to grace was provided in the person of Jesus Christ. However, in order for us to benefit from that door, we have to use it. Grace is an indescribable blessing, but it is only a blessing when we avail ourselves of it. God does not force us to enter the door any more than He blocks those who genuinely desire to enter in. He offers access, but actual entry is entirely our choice.

Have you availed yourself of the rights of access to grace? If not, that way was described the very first time the gospel was preached (Acts 2.37-39). Access is still granted that same way!

Questions:

1. What would it mean not to have access to grace?

2. What does it mean to have access to grace through faith? Does faith exclude obedience?

3. When did God formulate the idea of access through Jesus Christ?

4. How did the Pentecostians in Acts 2 obtain remission of sins (access into grace)?

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

3 steps to peace...