ACCESS TO GOD ~~~ cross

by: A.W. Pink/Evangelsist, Biblical Scholar

~~~LET us begin by asking the question; 'Is it possible for a depraved and defiled creature to obtain access unto the Holy One?'

Scripture plainly teaches that sin separates the sinner and God. This fearful fact is impressively set forth in Genesis 3:24: that flaming sword was the symbol of a sin-hating God, barring approach unto the emblem of His presence.

Not only does God debar the sinner from access, the sinner himself has no desire to approach unto Him. After our fist parents had eaten of the forbidden fruit and they heard the voice of the Lord God in the Garden, they fled in terror, seeking to hide from Him. And thus it has been ever since.

Is there, then, no access to God for the fallen creature? Not so. Access to God is possible--possible even for the chief of sinners--but only via the appointed Mediator.

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access" (Rom. 5:1,2).

Our legal right to approach unto God is found alone in the merits of Christ: His sacrificial work and the present exercise of His Priesthood give me title to draw near unto the Throne of Grace.

"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph. 2:18).

Each person of the blessed Trinity is accorded His own distinctive place in the economy of redemption: access is unto the Father, it is through Christ, but it is by the Spirit.

But will the Spirit perform these gracious operations if we are indifferent as to whether or not our conduct grieves Him? No, there must be a moral fitness if the suppliant is to obtain access to God. Our folly must be repented of and humbly acknowledged before fellowship can be restored with God.

"Therefore being justified by 'faith' we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by 'faith' into this grace" (Rom. 5:1-2).

Faith is the appointed means of access, for it is the hand which receives every blessing from God. Faith in God's willingness to grant us an audience, faith in the sufficiency of Christ's atoning sacrifice to provide us with the title of approach, faith in the Divine promises that if we contritely confess our sins He will cleanse us.

Now to sum up. It is one thing to know theoretically the legal way and right of approach unto God, but it is quite another to enjoy conscious access to Him. For that, the aid of the Spirit is imperative, but He will not perform His gracious operations within us if He be grieved.

We must penitently confess our sins, and sincerely determine there shall be no repetition of them.

"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8).

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A CLOSER LOOK
A.W. Pink

Arthur Walkington Pink (1886-1952), Evangelist and Biblical Scholar, was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886. He immigrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute, and eventually pastored churches in Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina. Pink returned to England and began writing books and pamplets.

This article was taken from: Prayer Point/Samaritan's Purse
President: Franklin Graham
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Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]