Approaching God

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

APPROACHING GOD

Eph 3:7-13

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

NIV

Why would Paul say that the riches of Christ are unsearchable when he says that through God’s grace, he is to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery? It seems to us that Paul is explaining the unsearchable riches of Christ. Everything is about Christ Jesus, the whole plan of God for our redemption is centered on Jesus. All the manifold wisdom of God that is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms revolves around Jesus. Our whole lives should be focused entirely on Jesus, for in Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. What a privilege! What a Joy! To have the freedom to approach God is nearly incomprehensible when we think about the past, only Moses was able to speak to God face to face. Then throughout the rest of history, the Israelites were not able to approach God, except on the one day of the year, the day of atonement, then it was only one priest who could enter the presence of God, with fear and in trepidation. But because of Jesus, that veil was torn from top to bottom, and through Jesus, we can walk freely into the presence of God, we can approach Him with complete confidence. We are at peace with God or rather God is at peace with us, in fact, He has given us the right to call ourselves His children, His family. There is no barrier between us and God, for the Spirit dwells within us so that we could say what Jesus prayed that we would one, just as He and the Father are one. That could apply to all of us believers being one with each other as Jesus and the Father are one, being in complete unity. But it can also apply to us being one with Jesus as Jesus is one with the Father so then we would be one with the Father because we are in Christ. That is so totally awesome to think about being one with each other and one in Christ, which gives us complete confidence, with no fear, no anxiety, no trepidation, to walk boldly into the very presence of God and speak, in a sense, face to face with Him. Of course, we worship Him, even His name brings us to worship, however, He tells us we can walk with Him, and talk with Him, just as He did with Adam in the garden. This should bring us to a life of praise and thanksgiving and even though we either see or experience some amount of suffering, we should never come near to discouragement, for we are even told to be people of courage, in fact, great courage, for we are able to approach God.