By Faith You Have Access to God

Our justification also means we have direct access to God in Christ. Romans 5:2a says, "Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." "Through whom" (v. 2a) refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have eternal peace with God and through Him we have direct access to God. "Access" (v. 2a) can also mean "approach" or "introduction" (NASB), and only occurs three times in the New Testament. Each time it speaks of the believer's access to God through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:17-18 declares that Christ "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." Those "who were afar off" (v. 17) refers to the  Gentiles, while "those who were near" (v. 17) refers to the Jews. "Both have access... to the Father" (v. 18) through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:12 adds that in Christ "we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." In other words, by faith through Christ we can approach God directly in prayer with boldness and confidence. Because of this truth, Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

"This grace in which we stand" (Rom. 5:2a) refers to the fact that our salvation is forever. "Grace" refers to the free gift God gave us, namely salvation and every spiritual blessing that accompanies it. "Stand" refers to permanence, or standing firm and immovable. By faith we stand firm in the grace of God.

God's grace saved us and God's grace keeps us saved. It is a permanent reality. Standing in the grace of God, means standing in constant forgiveness. That is why Paul said, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6, NASB).

Having been saved by grace and now standing securely in God's grace, you are instructed to "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2b), because your future is secure. You are to be absolutely jubilant, because God in Christ guarantees your "hope" that one day you will partake "of the glory of God" (v. 2b). You will spend eternity with Him and His glory will fill you forever. By faith you are eternally bound to the Savior! Amen.