Access to God has both a Personal and Corporate Aspect

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

You don’t need a pastor or priest or other person to act as a mediator between you and God. That’s what theologians refer to as the principle of the “priesthood of the believer”. you can talk to God anytime you want.

But unfortunately in some circles that idea has been taken to the extreme where followers of Jesus Christ claim that they can live out their faith on their own. But as we have seen in Ephesians, our Christianity is not just for us. It is to be lived out within the community of faith we call the church.

In His letter, Paul frequently switches between addressing his readers as “you”, when he is specifically referring to the Gentiles and “we” when he wants to emphasize the idea that both Jews and Gentiles have been brought together in Christ. As you’ll notice, here in verse 12, Paul uses the word “we” once again. By doing that, Paul seems to be implying that there is a corporate aspect of our ability to experience the presence of God in our lives.

And Paul is not the only one who does that. The writer of Hebrews also emphasizes this idea of corporate access to God. Hebrews 10 describes how Jesus became our High Priest who allows us to enter into the presence of God, verses 23-25 begin to outline the corporate aspect as we come together to worship.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)

One of the benefits of having direct access to God is that we can gather together with others who enjoy that same privilege for the purpose of encouraging each other in our faith and helping others to live the life that God has called us to live. Even Jesus spoke about this idea of corporate access to God.

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

I can go to God on my own any time I want because of what Jesus has done for me. And I should do that. But there is also a sense in which my relationship with God will never be all that God intends for it to be until I enter into his presence in community with His other children.

This whole idea that I can enter confidently into the presence of God is so amazing to me. But what’s even more amazing to me is how many times I fail to take advantage of that great privilege. You see, Jesus has opened the door, but I have to be the one who chooses to enter in. God will never force us to take advantage of the access he has provided for us. So we need to heed the advice of James:

 “Come near to God and he will come near to you…James 4:8 (NIV)”

God is waiting for you to come near. The rest is up to you. You are loved!