A GOD THAT HIDES HIMSELF

"Truly, Thou art a God Who hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior" -- Isaiah 45:15

Devotion 2 of  26

ACCESS TO GOD -- BUT BY GRACE!

      In Christ we have gained access to God. However, that access is "by grace"' and "through faith." "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand . . . in whom we have boldness and access" (Rom 5:2; Eph 3:12). The Holy Spirit is also involved in admittance to the heavenly court "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph 2:18).

      "Grace," "faith,"' and the "Spirit" are found within human experience. However, they are not controlled by those possessing them. The "grace of God" is appropriated; it is not given automatically, nor gained at the press of a theological button (Heb 4:16). Faith is authored and finished by Jesus Himself. Both its genesis and culmination are managed by Him (Heb 12:2).

      Equally true, there is no automatic pilot in the heavenly kingdom. If God Himself is not imminent in salvation, it is no salvation at all! Jesus did not institute a glorified self-help system. Rather, He opened the way to God, where Divine strength can sustain and uphold men in their quest for glory.

      As simple as this observation may seem, there are great bodies of religious thought that seek to undergird faith with human innovations. Such thoughts must be pulled down with spiritual weaponry (2 Cor 10:4-5). They assume that salvation is initiated by Deity, but finished by humanity. This is not the case. Jesus is the "First and the Last" (Rev 1:11,17; 2:8; 22:13), the "Beginning and the Ending" (Rev 1:8), the "Alpha and the Omega" (Rev 21:6).

      Access to God cannot be appropriated initially, or maintained, apart from Divine influence. We are what we are by the grace of God (1 Cor 15:10). Blessed, indeed, is the individual who comprehends this! Such will find "grace to help in the time of need," and will be given strength to stand in the evil day (Heb 4:16; Eph 6:13).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, grant me a living awareness of the prominence of Your grace, the influence of Your Spirit, and the effectiveness of faith AS I am approaching You.

-- Tomorrow: A TRANSCENDENT GOD --