Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Ah March … For most people this signals the return of spring, the celebration of Easter and planning for gardens and summer vacations.
And basketball. If you’re not a basketball fan, let me just say there are a ton of critical games going on with teams vying for positions in the upcoming tournaments. A few years ago in March, as a fundraiser for a charity, one of the coaches gave away his signed, all-access lanyard from the tournament his team played in over the previous weekend. His name and college team name appeared on the badge, and in large letters at the bottom, it read “all access” with the dates and event name.
As cool as a lanyard is, and even though it has “all access” stamped on it, it has limitations. It is limited to the venue, the event and the days on the badge. It doesn’t grant the coach lifetime admission to every event from now on.
However, three different times in the New Testament we as believers are granted an all-access pass through Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:2 says that through Jesus Christ “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.”
Ephesians 2:18 “we have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
And Ephesians 3:12 “we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”
Grace, the Father, boldness. Our lanyard is unlimited. It is good everywhere, in every situation. It never expires. However, it’s up to us to take advantage of the benefits.
The coach’s lanyard wouldn’t benefit him or his team if he left it at home. He would excluded from the bench and the locker room and wouldn’t be able to do his job.
Likewise, if we don’t take advantage of the grace, the empowering Holy Spirit and the Father’s favor, as well as the boldness and confidence, it will impossible to accomplish the tasks God gives us.
We have the access. Why don’t we use it?