Life is full of entering places and leaving. We are constantly going through open doors, leaving one room and entering another. Sometimes we must buy a ticket to enter a ballgame or a concert. We pay the price of admission to go in and enjoy what we paid for. We need passwords and usernames to access our accounts and business websites. How things have changed with the World Wide Web. It has given us the ease of access.
When we think about the price of admission it’s not hard to relate it to what God has done for us through Jesus. Look at Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV)-1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Jesus paid the price with His blood so that we can have access to the Father in heaven. No wonder the Bible tells us we have the boldness to enter the throne of grace(Heb 4:16). What did Jesus pay for? That we can stand in the grace of God. Grace is receiving justification, righteousness, and redemption. It is based on what Jesus did and not our religious works. It comes by grace through faith alone(Eph 2:8). Christianity is receiving that grace not earning it.
Here are two more scriptures on access. Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV)-18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. And in Ephesians 3:11-12 (NKJV)-11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. God always purposed for us to have access to Him. In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could enter the presence of God on behalf of the people. Jesus became our eternal High Priest and opened up the way for us to enter God’s presence at any time we desire to. Hebrews 10:19-22 (NKJV)-19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Because of Christ, we can draw near to God without fear, retribution, shame, or guilt. How powerful the blood of Jesus! Having this knowledge should cause us to be motivated in our prayer life.
The price of admission has been paid. We have eternal access to the Father. We have access to His grace. The Bible tells us that grace and truth came through Jesus(John 1:17). Grace has provided salvation, forgiveness, healing, and provision. When I sign into my online banking I have access to my accounts to do whatever I wish with the available money I have. I can make withdrawals and deposit money, I can transfer to different accounts, and pay bills. Can I simply say that The Name of Jesus that God has given us through salvation is our password (our access) to the grace of God? The access is based on the price that has been paid for His grace. It is not based on our performance. It is not based on our behavior good or bad. It is based on Jesus’ performance. We operate in this grace by the faith that God has given us(Rom 12:3).
The Bible tells us we are joint heirs with Christ(Rom 8:17). What have we inherited? 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)-3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (2 Peter 2:2-4). We have inherited the future redemption of our bodies. When our mortal bodies will receive our resurrected bodies. There will be eternal rewards in how we serve God here on earth. We have inherited sonship where we are no longer slaves but sons(Rom 8:15, Gal 4:6-7). Justification, and righteousness before God are part of our inheritance. Our salvation is secure and kept by the power of God! 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NKJV)=21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. God has given us the best insurance policy of eternity with Him. He has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee and down payment.
God has qualified us to be partakers of our inheritance in Christ. Colossians 1:12 (NKJV)-12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. We don’t qualify ourselves. We don’t have to measure up in anyway. It is not about us, it is about Jesus! Our inheritance provides access to the peace of God, the Gifts of the Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit, His strength, His armor, His Name, His authority, and His amazing love and grace. Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV)-16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,17 and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. To suffer with Jesus is speaking of His earthly life. The pain of persecution, rejection, the pain of denying our flesh, and the pain of this earthly life, its frailties, and temptations that come our way. What Apostle Paul is not talking about is suffering with sickness or disease. He is not talking about adverse poverty or ongoing hardships. We may experience these things but we must realize that God provides access to His grace to overcome in such times. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)-9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities(weakness, feebleness), that the power of Christ may rest upon me. We have access to God’s miraculous power. It is important to note that humility plays a role in the access. James 4:6 (NKJV)-6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.” The vine and branch relationship is one of dependence. It is a relationship of trust. To walk humbly before God is to be in submission to God and His Word. That God’s word in our lives has the final say.
How wonderful the price of admission that Jesus has paid. That there is salvation, forgiveness, healing, and provision. God has qualified us to have access by grace through faith to all of His promises(2 Cor 1:20). We no longer have to beg or plead with Him. Matthew 7:11 (NKJV)-11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Also in Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)-31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? The grace of God has provided an “E-Z Pass” for us in Christ. It is hard to grasp at times all that God has done for us in redemption. I like what Rachel said in Genesis 31:14 (NKJV)-14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? For believers in Christ, the answer is yes. We have access to that inheritance for we are in the Father’s house. It is a house of grace, love, and blessings. Even when doubt and unbelief try to creep in at times. Let us hold fast to our confession of faith and not give up because the price of admission has been paid!
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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