Access Unto Father God Ephesians 2:18

Paul the apostle continued to share with the church members of Ephesus all the glorious blessings God has bestowed upon them. Before Jesus died on the cross, the “Gentiles” of whom the Ephesians were, were thought not to have any relationship with God unless they became Jews. In chapter two and verse eighteen of his letter, Paul shared how God's Spirit gave everyone “access unto the Father” where we read:

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

The verse begins, “For through him we both have access...” Paul began with the words, “For through him” which means “because of, since and on account of Jesus” “we both” or “the Jews and the Gentiles” “have access” which means “the act of bringing to, a moving to and approach”. By Jesus Christ's death on the cross, both Jews and Gentiles have the ability to “approach” the throne of God.

The verse goes on to say, “...by one Spirit unto the Father.” Paul continued, “by one Spirit” which refers to “the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son” “unto the Father” which literally means “the generator or male ancestor” and metaphorically means “the originator and transmitter of anything and refers to God who is called the Father”. The Holy Spirit of God has given everyone, regardless of their birth heritage, “access” to God “the Father”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see the “Holy Spirit's” involvement in giving all people “access” to God. There was a division between the Jews and Gentiles before Jesus died on the cross, but afterwards anyone has the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and thereby are able to “approach” God the Father. Let all who read these words understand the glorious benefits of God's involvement through the Holy Spirit with all people regardless of their state of birth.

Next time Paul shares how the Ephesians and the Gentiles “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.