Our Access to God

Only Christ's work on the cross ensures our complete and immediate access to God. 

When we approach God through Christ, “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him” (Ephesians 3:12). For centuries prior to the coming of Christ, the high priest represented God's people once a yea ras he entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for their sins. The holiest man from the holiest tribe offered the holiest sacrifice in the holiest place for the holiest people on earth. To attempt to draw near to God in any other way or by any other means would result in certain death (Leviticus 16:2).

Now Jesus has entered a holier place, the heavenly sanctuary, having atoned for our sins and having torn down the veil separating us from God. 

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest overthe house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19–22) 

Apart from Christ's finished work, we would have no access to God. It reminds me of when the words “Access Denied” appear on my computer screen when I forget a password to a web site. I can't get in unless I remember the right word or combination of letters and numbers.

As our High Priest and perfect sacrifice, Jesus is our “password” into God's presence. Without his substitutionary sacrifice we could never drawnear to God. And, of course, we're not simply reciting a mantra or secret code but are exercising faith in what he has done. His access is sufficient and unique. Apart from Jesus Christ, we cannot approach God.

This makes a huge difference as we lead others to worship God.

I had a conversation once with a well-known worship leader who confessed that every time he leads worship, he experiences a degree of anxiety. Will people “get it”? Will they experience real worship? Will they be able to get close to God?

Biblically speaking, no worship leader, pastor, band, or song will ever bring us close to God. We can't shout, dance, or prophesy our way into God's presence. Worship itself cannot lead us into God's presence. Only Jesus himself can bring us into God's presence, and he has done it through a single sacrifice that will never be repeated—only joyfully recounted and trusted in. 

We need to remember that our access to God is not based on last week's performance, today's practices, or tomorrow's potential. Rather, we're accepted “in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) and need have no fear of rejection as we come before God's throne. 

God poured out on his Son the cup of wrath we deserved. And Jesusdrank the last drop. No wrath or judgment remains for those who have trusted in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Mark Altrogge has expressed this thought well in his song, “Across the Great Divide”: 

There is no more fear of judgment;

The Father's wrath is satisfied. 

You have brought us near, O Jesus,

Across the great divide.

There's a way beyond the curtain

Through our Priest and King on high.

You have brought us near, O Jesus,

Across the great divide.