Access Granted

by Alexandra Copeland

There can be no doubt in your mind that the moment you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior was the most important moment in your life. A ‘lord’ is a person that has power, authority, and influence. In modern terms, we think of a lord as having done something that perhaps no one could have done; and they have done it in a way that exceeds all expectations. A lord does something in the absolute best way. When we take this down to the studs, we must consider #1 what Jesus Christ accomplished, #2 why he did it, and #3 who he did it for. Considering these three points will not only expand our faith, but it will open a door that you perhaps never realized has been closed.

#1 What Jesus Christ Accomplished
It’s interesting to note that God’s Word enlightens us on what transpired in the past, and it also gives us prophecy regarding what will happen in the future. Both are necessary to live fully in the present. This is particularly meaningful when we ponder where we might have ended up had God not saved us through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:1(NLT) tells us, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.” Heavenly Father is both the God and Giver of life. He wanted us alive in every way, not just physically, but spiritually. Because of our proclivity towards deeds of darkness, we were dead and headed for eternal destruction and damnation, but God rescued us and showed us the way of life through Jesus Christ.

There’s good and evil, life and death, light and darkness, truth and lies, liberty and bondage, and faith and fear. These are absolutes. There are no in-betweens. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus Christ said that no one can serve two masters; you will hate one and love the other. There’s no neutrality when it comes down to who we will be committed to. It’s either God or the devil. Ephesians 2:2(NLT) tells us, “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” Sin is the greatest offense to God because it is action and intention that go against what He has decreed and declared to be the best. Sin is the antithesis of everything that God represents, because it is rooted in opposition to His Word and Will. It is the very opposite of goodness, life, light, truth, liberty, and faith.

God hates sin, but He does not hate the sinner. Sin has a price, and Romans 6:23 tells us that the price of sin is death. Jesus Christ paid this price for the sins of the world. 2Corinthians 5:21 says that God made Jesus Christ, who never sinned, to be the payment for our sins so that we might become righteous. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price so that you and I would be able to stand before the throne of God with no sense of guilt, sin, or condemnation; and we get to do this with the distinction of being God’s sons and daughters. This is beyond words! It’s a gift that we can never repay; a gift for which we could never say ‘thank you’ enough. This is what Jesus Christ accomplished for us.

#2 Why He Did It
Christ gave his life as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins because of God’s overwhelming love for us. We’re a part of God’s plan for the entire universe. Ephesians 1:10 (NLT) tells us, “And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.” Through Jesus Christ, we’re moving towards the fulfillment of God’s plan.

Another extremely important aspect to God’s plan is to bring us into relationship with Him. He’s given us access through Christ to His throne. Romans 8:16-17(NKJV) says, “16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

#3 Who He Did It For

Jesus Christ also tells us in John 10:10(NKJV), “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The thief is the devil, and he wants to tear down and destroy us, but Jesus Christ was sent by God to the earth to make a more than abundant life available to us. You and I didn’t have to work for it, the salvation and abundant life that God has given us through Jesus Christ is free for the asking. We didn’t deserve God’s mercy and grace, but He gave it to us any way.

Ephesians 1:3 tells us that through Christ, God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Colossians 2:10 declares that we are complete in Christ. Because of God’s Son, we lack nothing. Healing and deliverance is ours; good health is ours; a wonderful spouse is ours; a great job and financial wholeness is ours. God has granted us access to every blessing. So the question we must ask ourselves is what’s standing in the way of us reaching out and grabbing all these yummies. Anyone interested in being truly thankful for all that God has done through Christ should have the gumption to look in the mirror and ask themselves this question. Then, they ought to ask God the same thing; because if your heart is to accept what God has done for you through Christ, you’ll continue to seek Him for the answers to your life's questions. He'll answer them and show you so much more. ■

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.