Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Oct 16, 2024 - Boldness and Access with Confidence”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsBoldness and Access with Confidence
Reading: Ephesians 3:7-13
Paul views his apostleship as a special grace from God, especially because he is unworthy of the role. “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”(Eph 3:7-8). Rather than viewing his work as a drudgery (or as a risk to his personal safety), he sees it as a tremendous honor. This is especially true because Paul feels he is “the very least of all the saints.” Yet God has empowered Paul to “bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God”(Eph 3:9) by bringing Gentiles home to God. The goal is that through his work—through this united body of believers—“through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”(Eph 3:10). God’s work declares his wisdom to all people and spiritual authorities.
Now in Jesus “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him”(Eph 3:12). We know that God’s eternal plan includes us. We know that our connection to God through Jesus declares God’s great wisdom. We know that God has granted us “access” to him through Jesus. So now we can approach God, knowing that he will hear and answer us. We can call him Father. We can boldly affirm that his promises are for us. We can make requests of him and cast our cares on him. We can enter the throne room of God. Our faith tells us we belong.
Christians struggle with insecurity. God’s promises and assurances seem to better fit people who are better than we are—the Abrahams and Daniels and Davids of the Bible. Do we belong? Paul teaches us to zoom out. We are the beneficiaries of an eternal plan and desire of God. Why would God do so much for us and then exclude us? Why would he bless us, then refuse to hear us? We can be bold and confident, certain that he loves and accepts us.
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One Thing to Think About: Do I feel bold and confident about approaching God?
One Thing to Pray For: The assurance God wants me to feel
