Equal Access
Ephesians 2:16-18 (MSG) Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.
No matter how long you have been a Christian, the great news is we all have equal access to our Heavenly Father. We don't have to do 10 years worth of good works in hopes of earning a spot on His list of favorites. We are all His favorite; uniquely designed by Him yet granted equal access through Christ. There are some days that you will feel closer to God than others, but on all days, we have the opportunity to share our hearts with Him, pour out our concerns and worries and lay them at the cross and take advantage of knowing our loving Father. God is a father of love, one that blesses and corrects. A good father doesn't dismiss the cares of His children. He is always there to listen. He may not always say yes to our requests, but He does care about every detail of our lives. He desires to be a part of our lives in such a way that no human can compare.
No one else can possibly love and care about you the way Jesus does. Jesus loved us even in the midst of our sin. Even knowing that not all of us will choose to love Him back or follow Him. Even knowing that many would even openly deny Him after all He has done for them. He became sin who knew no sin - He was the ultimate and only possible sacrifice that would atone for our lives of disobedience. His shed blood is what it took to wash away the sins of the world. He did it all by choice! Through a love that only He can give. Christ brought us together through this horrific death - to end the hostility. I wonder, have we ended our hostility toward one another or do we love each other even through our differences. It is our job to love others, it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict. We cannot play the role of the Holy Spirit, only He can convict in a way that causes repentance. We all have equal access to our Father, are we taking advantage of our time with Him or are we blowing it away? Take time today to love on your Father who gave so much for your freedom. Love on those around you like it was their last day on earth, bless them, hug them, compliment them and laugh with them. Choose to show the love of Christ so others may meet the Savior.
1 John 4:7 (NLT) Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
