ACCESS TO THE FATHER
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
MAIN TEXT: Ephesians 2:11-22
KEY VERSE: Ephesians 2:18 (KJV) — “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
SUPPORTING TEXTS: John 14:6; Romans 5:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-22; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 16:23-24.
DESCRIPTION: This message explains how Jesus Christ has opened the way for believers to approach God the Father through His blood and by the enabling ministry of the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
Access is the right or opportunity to enter a place, approach a person, or enjoy a privilege. In human society, access to certain offices and influential people may depend on position, wealth, personal connections, or special permission. However, access to God is not obtained through human status, material possessions, good works, or personal achievements. It is made possible through Jesus Christ, who reconciled us to God by His death on the cross.
Before Christ came, sin separated humanity from God. The Gentiles, in particular, had been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise. But through the blood of Jesus, those who were once far away have been brought near. Christ has broken down the wall of hostility and made a new way for people of every nation to come to God.
Ephesians 2:18 reveals a powerful truth about our relationship with God: “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Notice the three essential truths in this verse: through Christ, by one Spirit, unto the Father. Jesus is the way, the Holy Spirit enables our fellowship with God, and the Father receives us as His children. Every believer must understand this privilege and learn to live daily in the reality of unhindered access to the Father.
1. SIN SEPARATED HUMANITY FROM THE FATHER
To appreciate the privilege of access to the Father, we must first understand the problem that made this access necessary. God created humanity for fellowship with Him, but sin brought separation, guilt, condemnation, and spiritual death. Humanity's greatest need is not merely material prosperity or physical comfort; it is restoration to a right relationship with God.
The good news of the gospel is that God did not abandon humanity in its fallen condition. He provided a way of reconciliation through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. What sin destroyed, the grace of God has made possible to restore through Christ.
a) Sin Created Separation (Isaiah 59:2) – “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Sin disrupts fellowship with God and places humanity under divine judgement. No person can overcome this separation merely through religious activities or human effort. We need the forgiveness and cleansing that only God provides through Jesus Christ.
b) All Humanity Needs Redemption (Romans 3:23) – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The problem of sin is universal. Rich and poor, educated and uneducated, leaders and followers all need God's salvation. Nobody can boast of deserving access to the Father because of personal righteousness. We all depend on the mercy and grace of God.
c) Human Effort Cannot Purchase Access (Titus 3:5) – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Good works cannot erase past sins or purchase a place in God's family. Our religious activities must flow from salvation, not serve as a substitute for it. We are saved by God's mercy and transformed by His Spirit.
d) God Desires Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19) – “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” God took the initiative to provide reconciliation through Christ. He does not delight in humanity's separation from Him; He calls sinners to repentance and offers forgiveness through the gospel.
Biblical Example: Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8-10)
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they hid themselves from His presence. Their sin brought fear and damaged the fellowship they had enjoyed with their Creator. Their experience illustrates the consequences of sin and the need for divine restoration. Through Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness and return to fellowship with God.
2. JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER
Our access to the Father is not based on our own merit but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. He did not merely show us a way to God; He declared Himself to be the way. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus dealt with the problem of sin and opened the way for believers to approach God.
This means that no other mediator can replace Jesus Christ in bringing sinful humanity into a reconciled relationship with the Father. We may receive encouragement and spiritual guidance from other people, but our salvation and access to God rest on Christ alone.
a) Jesus Is the Only Way (John 14:6) – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is not one of several equally effective routes to the Father. He is the divinely appointed way. Anyone who desires a restored relationship with God must come through Him in repentance and faith.
b) Jesus Is the One Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) – “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” A mediator brings two parties together. Jesus, through His incarnation, sacrificial death, and resurrection, has accomplished the work necessary to reconcile us to God. Our confidence rests in His unique and sufficient mediation.
c) His Blood Opened the Way (Hebrews 10:19-20) – “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” Under the old covenant, access to the Most Holy Place was restricted. Through Jesus' sacrifice, believers now have confidence to draw near to God. His blood, not our human qualifications, is the basis of our acceptance.
d) His Resurrection Secures Our Hope (Romans 4:25) – “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Jesus did not remain in the grave. His resurrection confirms His victory over death and vindicates His saving work. Because He lives, believers can confidently trust in the salvation He has accomplished and approach God through Him.
Biblical Example: The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)
One of the criminals crucified beside Jesus acknowledged his guilt and appealed to the Lord for mercy. Jesus responded with a promise of paradise. This man had no opportunity to earn salvation through a lifetime of religious service, but he turned to Jesus in faith. His experience demonstrates that access to God rests on Christ's mercy, not human achievement.
3. WE HAVE ACCESS BY ONE SPIRIT
Ephesians 2:18 teaches that our access to the Father is “by one Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is not an optional addition to the Christian life. He is actively involved in making our relationship with God real and fruitful. Through the Spirit, believers are brought into the blessings of the new covenant and enabled to approach God as His children.
The same Holy Spirit indwells believers from different backgrounds and brings them into one spiritual family. In the context of Ephesians 2, this truth also emphasises the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers. Our access to God does not depend on ethnicity, nationality, social status, or cultural background. In Christ, we share the same Spirit and the same Father.
a) The Spirit Gives Us Confidence as God's Children (Romans 8:15) – “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The Holy Spirit assures believers that they belong to God. We no longer need to approach Him as condemned strangers who have no relationship with Him. Through adoption in Christ, we can call upon Him as our Father.
b) The Spirit Helps Us in Prayer (Romans 8:26) – “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” There are times when our weakness, grief, or confusion makes prayer difficult. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and works according to the will of God. We should depend on His help rather than allow our limitations to drive us away from prayer.
c) The Spirit Enables True Worship (Philippians 3:3) – “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Genuine worship is more than outward performance. The Holy Spirit directs our hearts towards God, helps us honour Christ, and enables us to worship in sincerity and truth. Our worship should be Spirit-led rather than merely ceremonial.
d) The Spirit Unites Believers (1 Corinthians 12:13) – “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” The Holy Spirit brings believers into the body of Christ. Therefore, divisions based on tribe, race, class, or background contradict the unity God has established in Christ. We should preserve the unity of the Spirit and treat fellow believers as members of the same family.
Biblical Example: The Early Church at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, 41-42)
When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost, they received power to witness, and many people from different backgrounds responded to the gospel. Those who believed were added to the community of faith and continued in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. The event demonstrates the Spirit's work in empowering believers and forming a worshipping community united in Christ.
4. WE CAN APPROACH THE FATHER WITH CONFIDENCE
One of the great blessings of access to the Father is that believers do not have to live in constant terror of rejection. Through Christ, we can approach God with reverence, faith, and confidence. This confidence does not mean treating God carelessly; it means trusting the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the faithfulness of God's promises.
Many Christians struggle in prayer because they feel unworthy, remember their past failures, or assume that God is unwilling to receive them. Although sin must never be treated lightly, a repentant believer should not allow condemnation to keep them from seeking God's mercy. We are invited to draw near because Jesus is our Saviour and High Priest.
a) We Have Boldness to Enter God's Presence (Hebrews 10:19) – “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” Our boldness is not pride or presumption. It is confidence grounded in the blood of Jesus. We can pray, worship, confess our sins, and seek God's help because Christ has opened the way.
b) We Can Obtain Mercy and Grace (Hebrews 4:16) – “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” God's throne is described as a throne of grace for those who come through Christ. When we fail, we should repent and seek mercy. When we are weak, we should ask for grace. When we face trials, we should seek His timely help.
c) We Can Pray According to God's Will (1 John 5:14) – “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” Access to the Father does not mean that God must grant every request exactly as we desire. Rather, we can trust Him to hear us and respond according to His wisdom, purpose, and perfect will. Prayer draws us into dependence on God.
d) We Can Draw Near with a Sincere Heart (Hebrews 10:22) – “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” God desires sincerity, faith, and a heart that has been cleansed through His provision. We should not hide behind religious appearances. We must come honestly before Him, confess our sins, and trust His cleansing grace.
Biblical Example: Esther Approaching the King (Esther 5:1-3)
Esther approached the king at great personal risk, and he extended the golden sceptre towards her. Although this is not a direct picture of the believer's access to God, it illustrates the importance of being received into a ruler's presence. Unlike Esther, who faced uncertainty in approaching the earthly king, believers who come through Christ are invited to draw near to God's throne of grace with confidence in His mercy.
5. ACCESS TO THE FATHER IS A PRIVILEGE OF ADOPTION
Through Jesus Christ, believers are not merely forgiven criminals; they are welcomed into God's family. The Father gives us a new identity and relationship with Him. We are no longer strangers who have no claim to His household; we are His children through faith in Christ.
This privilege should change the way we think, pray, obey, and live. A child of God should not live as though abandoned, without hope, or without a heavenly Father. We may face hardship and unanswered questions, but our relationship with God remains the foundation of our confidence.
a) We Receive the Spirit of Adoption (Galatians 4:6) – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Through Christ, God brings believers into the relationship of sons and daughters. The Spirit helps us recognise and enjoy this relationship. We can call upon God not only as the Creator of the universe but also as our Father through Christ.
b) We Become Heirs of God's Promise (Romans 8:17) – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Our relationship with the Father includes the hope of sharing in His promised inheritance. This does not mean that believers will never suffer. Rather, even in suffering, we belong to God and look forward to the glory He has promised.
c) We Are No Longer Strangers (Ephesians 2:19) – “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” In the immediate context, Paul emphasises the inclusion of Gentile believers alongside Jewish believers in God's household. Through Christ, believers from every background belong to one spiritual family. We should live with the assurance of our place in God's family and welcome others who have come to Him through faith.
d) We Must Live to Please Our Father (1 Peter 1:14-15) – “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Access to the Father is a privilege, not an excuse for careless living. Because we belong to Him, we must pursue holiness, obedience, love, and integrity. Our conduct should reflect the character of the Father we serve.
Biblical Example: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-24)
The prodigal son wasted his inheritance and found himself in a desperate condition. When he returned to his father in repentance, his father received him with compassion and restored him to the household. Jesus used this parable to reveal God's mercy towards repentant sinners. It reminds us that through Christ, those who turn to God can experience forgiveness and restoration.
6. WE MUST USE OUR ACCESS TO CULTIVATE DAILY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
Access to the Father is not meant to be enjoyed only during church services, prayer meetings, or moments of crisis. God invites His children into a continuing relationship of prayer, worship, obedience, and communion with Him. We should not wait until trouble comes before seeking His face.
The privilege of access should inspire us to develop a consistent devotional life. We can speak to God in prayer, listen to His Word, depend on the Holy Spirit, and obey His instructions. The more we understand the privilege we have in Christ, the more intentional we should become about fellowship with our heavenly Father.
a) Maintain a Life of Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – “Pray without ceasing.” This command encourages a continual attitude of dependence on God. We should establish regular times of prayer and also learn to turn our hearts towards Him throughout the day. Prayer is not merely a religious duty; it is part of our living relationship with the Father.
b) Remain in God's Word (John 8:31) – “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” The Word of God teaches us the Father's character, reveals His will, corrects our errors, and strengthens our faith. A believer who desires close fellowship with God must give serious attention to Scripture and obey what it teaches.
c) Walk in Obedience (John 14:23) – “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Obedience is an expression of love for Christ. We do not earn salvation through obedience, but those who love the Lord should desire to honour His commands. Disobedience damages fellowship and must be addressed through repentance.
d) Draw Near to God Continually (James 4:8) – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Drawing near involves turning away from sin, seeking God sincerely, and placing Him first. We must reject spiritual laziness and cultivate a life that consistently seeks His presence.
Biblical Example: Daniel's Consistent Prayer Life (Daniel 6:10)
Even when a decree threatened his life, Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day, as he had done previously. His prayer life was not an emergency arrangement; it was a settled spiritual discipline. Daniel's example teaches us to maintain fellowship with the Father in every season, whether circumstances are favourable or difficult.
CONCLUSION
Access to the Father is one of the greatest privileges of the Christian life. Sin separated humanity from God, but Jesus Christ opened the way through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Through Him, and by the one Holy Spirit, believers from every background can approach the Father, receive His mercy, enjoy fellowship with Him, and live as members of His household. We do not come on the basis of our achievements but through the finished work of Christ.
Therefore, do not live like a spiritual stranger when Christ has made access to the Father possible for you. Come to God through Jesus, depend on the Holy Spirit, cultivate a consistent prayer life, study and obey God's Word, and walk in holiness. When you are weak, approach His throne of grace. When you need wisdom, ask Him in faith. When you fall into sin, repent and seek His cleansing. The door opened through Christ calls you into a living relationship with your heavenly Father.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, thank You for providing access to Your presence through the blood of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, help me to appreciate the privilege of approaching the Father through Your finished work, in Jesus name.
3. Holy Spirit, deepen my fellowship with the Father and teach me to pray according to the will of God, in Jesus name.
4. Father, remove every fear, condemnation, and misunderstanding that keeps me from drawing near to You, in Jesus name.
5. Lord, grant me boldness to approach Your throne of grace and receive mercy and help in times of need, in Jesus name.
6. Father, strengthen my identity as Your child and help me to live in the assurance of Your love, in Jesus name.
7. Lord, give me grace to maintain a consistent life of prayer, worship, and meditation on Your Word, in Jesus name.
8. Father, cleanse my heart from every sin and give me grace to walk in holiness and obedience, in Jesus name.
9. Lord, unite Your Church by Your Spirit and remove every wall of hostility, prejudice, and division among believers, in Jesus name.
10. Father, let my life reflect the privilege of access to You, and make me a faithful witness of Your grace to others, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You will grow in your understanding of the privilege you have in Christ, and you will approach your heavenly Father with faith, reverence, and confidence.
2. You will not live as a spiritual stranger, for through Jesus Christ you have been brought near to God and welcomed into His household.
3. You will receive fresh strength from the Holy Spirit to maintain a consistent life of prayer, worship, and fellowship with the Father.
4. You will not allow guilt, fear, or past failures to keep you away from God's mercy; you will repent when necessary and find grace to continue in Him.
5. You will receive wisdom, strength, and grace as you seek the Father in times of need, and you will learn to trust His perfect will.
6. Your identity as a child of God will become increasingly evident in your words, conduct, relationships, and decisions.
7. You will grow in holiness and obedience, and your life will increasingly reflect the character of your heavenly Father.
8. You will experience deeper unity with fellow believers as you recognise that all who belong to Christ share access to the Father through one Spirit.
9. You will become more steadfast in faith during seasons of trial, remembering that your relationship with God rests on the finished work of Jesus Christ.
10. You will become a faithful witness of the gospel, helping others understand that through Jesus Christ they too can be reconciled to God and receive access to the Father.
