What role does the Holy Spirit play in our access to the Father? The Text at a Glance “For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” — Ephesians 2:18 The Triune Pathway to the Father • “Through Him” — Jesus is the only mediator (John 14:6). • “By one Spirit” — the Holy Spirit actively grants and sustains our approach. • “To the Father” — the end goal is fellowship with God Himself. The Spirit as the Divine Connector • Regeneration: He gives new birth, making us alive to God (John 3:5–6). • Indwelling: He takes up residence, creating ongoing access (1 Corinthians 3:16). • Sealing: He marks believers as God’s own, guaranteeing our welcome (Ephesians 1:13–14). • Unifying: Whether Jew or Gentile, all are brought through the same Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). What “Access” Means • Immediate: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). • Personal: We cry “Abba, Father” because “the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit” (Romans 8:15–16). • Continual: Not a one-time event but an open door, sustained every moment by the Spirit. Assurance and Intimacy • Witness Within: The Spirit assures us of adoption, dispelling fear (Romans 8:16). • Intercession: He “intercedes for us with groans too deep for words” when we struggle to pray (Romans 8:26). • Love Poured Out: “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5), deepening fellowship. Practical Implications • Worship: True worship is “in Spirit and truth” (John 4:24). • Bold Prayer: Confidence grows as we rely on the Spirit’s presence, not our merit. • Unity in the Church: Shared access by the same Spirit dismantles dividing walls (Ephesians 2:14). • Holiness: The Spirit’s sanctifying work keeps the pathway clear (Galatians 5:16-25). Living with Spirit-Enabled Access • Walk daily “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25), conscious that He carries you into the Father’s presence. • Let Scripture and the Spirit work together; He illuminates the Word He inspired (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13). • Rest in the certainty that the Spirit who began this access will keep it secure until you see the Father face to face (Philippians 1:6, Revelation 22:4). |
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