Apr. 10, 2024

The mystery of the church: The Jew and Gentile are one body in Christ.

God is in control. Our privileges are boldness, access, confidence. (Ephesians 3, ¹² In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. ¹³ Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory).

boldness: freedom of speech; reverential access to God.

access: to bring near; to come near to Christ; the believer’s access to God through Christ.

Romans 5, ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We can approach God with boldness through Christ. This was a big difference from the Old Testament. (Hebrews 4, ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need).

Luke 11, ¹¹ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? ¹² Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

We have access to Christ. That is our right as believers through Jesus Christ. Our faith in Christ gives us access to Jesus Christ. 

We have confidence in His Word. We rest in what Christ has done for us.

Paul says that it is for their glory that he does this. God is able to help us. (Ephesians 3, ¹³ Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory).