05.21. The Way of Access

The Way of Access "Through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Ephesians 2:18 To know God in all the mystery of His Being is altogether beyond the power of finite man. "Can you by searching find out God? Can you find out the Almighty to perfection? It is as high as Heaven, what can you do? deeper than Hell, what can you know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea." Who can fathom the deep things connected with the doctrine of the ever blessed Trinity? In what sense can Three be yet One? How can the Infinite Jehovah and finite man be one person in Christ? How does the Holy Spirit come forth from the Father and the Son? Such inquiries may perplex, but they cannot profit the believer. They are among the secret things that belong unto the Lord our God. But to know God as a reconciled Father in Christ, and to hold communion with Him through the Spirit — this may be attained, and when it is, becomes the very gate of Heaven.

It is for this purpose that it is needful to hold fast, and in a practical way, the Scripture revelation of the Triune God. In this way is it brought out in the third chapter of the Gospel of John. By the Father’s love is salvation provided. By the lifting up of the Son on the cross, is salvation wrought out. By the Divine Spirit, is salvation brought near in the regeneration and renewal of the soul. The fourteenth chapter of the same Gospel, and the eighth of the Epistle to the Romans, beside many other chapters, are full of the same mystery, and in the same practical form. In a very short compass we have it also in the words of the Apostle, quoted above, addressed to the Ephesian Church. Would you draw near to God? Would you cross the gulf that separates the sinner from the presence and favor of his Creator — or having crossed, draw nearer and yet nearer to Him? Then hide in your heart this comprehensive saying. It is within itself a little Gospel. It contains, as the acorn the oak, the germ of all that is revealed for our everlasting peace.

"Through Him (that is Christ our Savior) we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access by one Spirit unto the Father." It is as "a Father" that God is here set before us. It is not as the Almighty, the Glorious Jehovah, the Great Judge — but as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father in Him. Within our lips are put the words, "Our Father, who is in Heaven." We are taught that "Our Father knows what things we need before we ask Him;" and that with more love than human parents know, "will our Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him." And let none shrink from the use of this endearing name, even on their first approach to the Mercy-seat. The son in the parable, though long an exile, disobedient and rebellious — yet on his returning home takes this as his ground of hope: "I will arise and go to my father, and say unto him, Father," etc. None so far off, none so unworthy, that our God will chide them for approaching Him thus and relying upon His Fatherly love. But thus to draw near, we must come in the way appointed. It is "through Him," through that Savior that has made reconciliation by His cross. "I am the door," He has said; "by Me if any man enters in, he shall be saved." And again: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father but by Me." No other door ever has been opened, no other way ever has been or can be discovered but the One Mediator, Jesus Christ — by which sinful man can hold communion with a Holy God. Would you then, amidst conscious guilt and unworthiness, put in your claim for an audience with the Eternal King? Behold Christ as set forth to be your Advocate with Him. Behold Him that yet bears in His body the marks of the death that He endured on your behalf, and let not the sense of present infirmity or past sin rob you of the privilege of access to the Mercy-seat through Him.

Father, God, who see in me
Only sin and misery,
Turn to Your Anointed One —
Look on Your beloved Son;
Him for sinners bruised see,
Look through Jesus’ wounds on me! The confidence which this may impart in the hour of prayer, is set before us in Hebrews 10:19-22 : "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God — let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Sprinkled with the atoning blood, as loosing the conscience from guilt, we may draw near unto the very inner presence-chamber of the Divine Majesty. That blood in which we trust removes every barrier. That human Body, once rent upon the cross, forms for us a way that in days past was unknown. That ever-living High Priest fails not to forward our suit and to present our petition.

It is needful for an advocate in a court of justice to be able to put himself exactly in the place of his client, and it is an exceeding consolation for us to know that Jesus can do this. As man He once placed Himself by our side; and now as man He is glorified, and forgets not those temptations which for our sake He once endured in the flesh. Very much of the efficacy of prayer in calming the troubled spirit, and imparting strength in the day of suffering — depends upon our realizing the humanity of our Lord.

Hear with respect to this the testimony of a Christian physician, the late George Wilson, of Edinburgh: "When I was recovering from the loss of my foot, you can well believe that there were many weary, wretched, sleepless hours, particularly during darkness. Especially dreary was the first waking in the dull, grey morning. Despair seemed ready to overwhelm me. It was then I fully realized the unspeakable preciousness of prayer, and that not to a mysterious agency, but to a Person, possessing as I possess a human nature, though unlike mine His nature is sinless. Here was the precious thought, ’We have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are — yet without sin.’ There was no kind of trial I had which Christ had not; He could understand it from a fellow-feeling as Man, apart from discerning it as omniscient God. He heard my prayers; He loved me with His great love, and His Spirit reminded me that the Savior said: Lo, I am with you always!"

Yet in spite of the encouragement afforded by the intercession of Christ, it is not easy to pray. To no duty is the heart more averse. Heavenly desires do not naturally arise — and without desire, prayer is but a form. Distractions of various kinds likewise make it almost impossible to fix the thoughts. And to speak to One out of sight, pouring all our hearts and woes — needs much faith in the presence and mercy of our God. All this our Father knows full well, and accordingly promises to aid us by His Spirit. It is not only "through Christ," but also "by one Spirit," that we have access to Him. "The Spirit also helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Let none despise a groan, a look, a sigh, a tear Godward. When through the weakness of the flesh, or the manifold sorrows and distresses of this troublesome world, you are borne down and oppressed in heart and mind — yet, relying upon the Spirit’s grace, let the inner spirit turn toward the Great Intercessor, and though not a word is uttered, that silent petition will surely reach the mark. Yes, whatever form it may take, the Spirit must suggest and prepare those suits which the Father hears. This thought has been illustrated by the procedure in the Court of Queen’s Bench. Whoever would bring a matter before the Court, needs the barrister to urge the plea, but he needs also the attorney to prepare the pleading. So also do we need Jesus, our Advocate, to take our part before the great Judge, and also the Holy Spirit to frame our petitions for us, that they may be acceptable to God.

It is the Spirit who breaks down the proud reluctance of the natural heart. It is the Spirit who opens out to our view the root of sin, that by all means must be mortified and at length eradicated. It is the Spirit who gives a realizing apprehension of the nearness of God, and of the advocacy of Christ. It is the Spirit who quickens all that is dead, and strengthens all that is weak in this blessed privilege.

Though the throne of grace is free and open to all who draw near in humility, though Jesus stands by ready to plead the cause of all who confide in His mediation — but for the Spirit it would be all in vain. But for His mighty working, all through the wide world not a true worshiper would be found; not one utterance of believing prayer would reach the ear of the great heavenly Father.

Reader, do you value this merciful provision which has been thus made by the Triune God? Do you pray, and do you pray in the name of Christ? Do you "pray in the Spirit," knowing that it is from Him comes every holy desire, and every good thought?

Look back over the hours of the past week, the past month, the past year, and suppose that all such petitions were inscribed on the walls of your chamber — how many would be recorded there? How many confessions of sin, how many prayers for pardon, for the grace of the Spirit, for the spiritual well-being of others, could be read there? Look and see, for all is known to Him who shall be our Judge. If there is no prayer — then there is no spiritual life; and if you abide without prayer, you are undone forever. But if you value prayer, often speak to your own heart, both as to the certainty of its success, and also as to the large measure of blessing which our Father is accustomed to give to those who earnestly seek Him. That its success is certain, Jesus very plainly sets before us in many passages. One argument which He employs to assure us of it, is especially worthy of our attention. Perhaps it is the strongest to be found in Holy Scripture. We find it written in the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel, "Whatever you shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

See how the case stands. Suppose for a moment that it were possible that anyone were to kneel down, and for the sake of Jesus humbly to ask somewhat needful for himself, for a fellow-Christian, or for Christ’s Church; and suppose the Father were to turn a deaf ear to such a cry, and to refuse to give the best answer, which of course He in His wisdom alone could determine — what would be the result? Would He not dishonor His well-beloved Son, whose name had been the petitioner’s only plea? Still more, in dishonoring His Son, would He not bring dishonor upon His own Holy Name? Assuredly therefore for His own glory, for the honor of Jesus, He will never do this. He will never disregard the feeblest cry of the weakest Christian that is breathed forth in the name of Jesus. But when He hears the prayer that is offered, when in answer to it He manifests afresh His power and His grace — then in the sight of His Church, in the sight of the Holy angels does He declare the worthiness of His Son’s mediation; that Christ’s merits far more than counter-balance all our demerits — and His righteousness more than counter-balances our unrighteousness. Thus does He place the crown on the head of our Great High Priest — the Son is glorified and the Father is glorified in Him.

Then consider also the measure as well as the certainty of the blessing. If we look to anything in ourselves as that by which He will proportion His gifts, well might we expect but little. But this is not the rule or the measure of His bestowing. It is not our earnestness or the grace we have already received — but His own glorious fullness, the riches of His glory, the infinite supply of grace which is in Him, His own incomprehensible and boundless love — this is that to which we should look.

Mark the measure of blessing to be looked for in answer to believing prayer, as set before us by Paul in Ephesians 3:1-21. The Apostle had been asking for the Ephesian Church the greatest possible spiritual gifts . . . the strengthening might of the Holy Spirit,
the indwelling of Christ within the heart,
the knowledge of the love that surpasses knowledge,
the fruition of all the fullness of God.

Then he adds an ascription of praise, in which he sets forth how much of all this believers may hope to attain. Step by step he raises our expectations to the very utmost pitch. "Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us — unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end."

We inquire, Can He give us what we ask? Yes, "He is able to do what we ask." But I have much that I know not how to ask? "He is able to do what we ask or think." But shall it be but a little of this? No! "ALL that we ask or think." More than this? Yes: "Above all we ask or think." More still? Yes, "Abundantly above all we ask or think!" Is more than even this possible? Yes: "Exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think." And all this according to the almighty working of the Eternal Spirit, who works in the hearts of all God’s children.

Now stand at the top of this ladder of grace. See how God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts, and His givings beyond our askings. So able is He to bestow, and as willing as He is able, altogether beyond the limits that we, in our stunted faith are ready to assign Him. In remembrance of this let us, like the Apostle, give glory to Him. Let us believe, and praise, and rejoice. Let us make the motto of Dr. Carey our own: "Expect great things from God — and attempt great things for God." Let us strive more to honor and exalt the Everlasting Father, who invites us to His mercy seat; the Eternal Son, who ever stands forth to plead our cause; and likewise the ever blessed Spirit, whose is the glory of every fervent prayer which we offer.

Sweetly, in a better home, shall ascend that song of praise to the Triune Jehovah which we have learned, though feebly, to utter here: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!" Revelation 7:12