Access to God
by Philip Oommen, India

Becoming a true Christian has enormous consequences. Relationships are changed; we are given privileges, we look at life differently; our resources are inexhaustible. How do we receive all of this? Paul makes it clear: through the Lord Jesus Christ in Romans 5:1-5.

Our relationships are changed: we have peace with God (Roman 5:1). 

It is enough to sing about. We enjoy the peace that comes from being made with right with God, but we still face daily problems that often help us grow.

We are given privileges: we have access by faith into God’s very presence (Rom 5:2). 

Once we were outside, now we are invited into King’s presence.

We look at life differently: We can be joyful even when facing the hard things that come into our lives (Rom 5:3). 

We know life is not purposeless. God is taking the stuff of our lives and making something good out of it.  We are on our way somewhere. God wants to get us ready for heaven. Our joy is real because we know we will one day share the glory of God.

Our resources are inexhaustible: God keeps pouring his love into our hearts (Rom 5:5). 

He is also generous in His supply that we an overflow of love for other people. He gives us the Holy Spirit who not only transforms our thinking but makes God’s love real to us.

Our trouble begins when we forget these realities and concentrate on our inadequacies, our fears, and all other manifestations of our smallness. The proof of God’s love is that Jesus Christ died for us. We are no more shivering outside in the cold with no credentials to come before the King. Jesus has invited us into his very presence and has given us all we need and more besides. This passage in Romans 5 is a renewed invitation to take advantage of your privileges as sons and daughters of the Kings.

So what should be the priorities of Christians in the 21st century?