Access to the Father

You've probably seen it before: a rope line, a security guard, a door you're clearly not supposed to walk through. Then someone who belongs there shows up next to you and says, "he's with me," and suddenly everything changes. You're not getting in because you earned it. You're getting in because of who you're with.

Paul describes something similar happening spiritually. "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18). Notice the whole picture packed into that sentence: through the Son, by the Spirit, to the Father. You don't sneak into God's presence and you don't earn your way in. Jesus says, "He's with me," and brings you straight to the Father.

And notice the word Paul chooses: both. Not just people who look like you, share your background, or vote the way you do. People who never would have imagined themselves belonging together now walk through the same door to the same Father, because of the same Jesus.

This should change how you see the people sitting near you this week, at church, at your kid's game, in your neighborhood. If someone belongs to Jesus, they have exactly the same access to the Father you do. Not less. Not more. The ground is completely level at the door Jesus opens.

It should also change how you see yourself on the days you feel unqualified to approach God. You're not getting access because you finally deserve it today. You're getting access because you're with Jesus, and that's not something that fluctuates with how your day goes.

Today, walk toward God without hesitating at the door. You're not sneaking in . . . you're with Him.