“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)
I admit that I take for granted the indescribable privilege of being able to come into the presence of God. To pray and be heard, to speak to God whenever and wherever I want, to enjoy fellowship with the Lord of Glory in my very own home, at the grocery store, or while I’m stuck in traffic; what a profound gift the servant of Jesus Christ has been given!
“For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary… And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;…[And] into the second [tabernacle]went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people” (Hebrews 9:2-3, 7)
In the Old Testament, for a person to presume that they had the right to come into the direct presence of God anytime they wanted was unheard of. In fact, if anyone but the High Priest went beyond the second Veil of the Tabernacle (or after it was built, the Temple), he would be struck dead! And even the High Priest was only permitted to enter into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) — one day per year.
“And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” (Mark 15:38)
At the Crucifixion, the Veil dividing the Temple was torn in half. The curtain that separated people from the very presence of God was ripped apart. It was the hand of God which tore it because anyone who put their faith in Jesus Christ would now have unlimited access to God at anytime.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
The access mentioned in Romans 5:2 speaks of one who has an audience in the “Royal Court” of Heaven. We may come boldly before the King and enter into His court at anytime; we have an open invitation. We may come boldly before the Throne and speak with our Lord openly. What an inestimable privilege this really is; how unfortunate that most of us do not avail ourselves of it more often!
Finally, let us notice those two all-important words that open Romans 5:2 — By Whom. Lest anyone who has not come to faith in Christ presume that they, too, enjoy this access to God, we are reminded that it is only through Jesus Christ that we have such access. Those who reject Him do not have access to God, for there is only one prayer that God will hear from the lips of the man who has not believed on His Son, that is, the prayer of faith and surrender, the prayer that confesses the Lordship of Jesus Christ and faith in Him. The Veil separating God from man has been removed, yet there remains on the hearts of those who reject Him a veil that separates them from God (2 Corinthians 3:13-16).
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)
We are permitted to enter into that deepest part of the Temple, that Most Holy place where the presence of God dwells, because our High Priest, Jesus Christ, has entered in before us and bids us to follow. We have open access to God whenever we want to come into His presence. This access is the second earthly benefit listed in Romans 5:1-11, for it is a benefit that we do not need to wait until the next life to enjoy. May we partake of this wonderful privilege often, let us enter into His glorious presence today!
To God goes all glory. In service to Him,
Loren
