What is the meaning of Ephesians 3:12? In Him Paul begins, “In Him,” pointing squarely to Christ as the only ground for our relationship with God. Everything that follows depends on who Jesus is and what He has done. • John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” reminding us that Christ is the singular doorway. • Colossians 1:19-20 adds, “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things,” underscoring that reconciliation is anchored in Jesus alone. • Because Christ fully satisfied God’s justice on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21), believers stand “in Him,” clothed in His righteousness, not their own. through faith in Him Access is not automatic for everyone but is “through faith.” Trust in Christ personally appropriates what He accomplished. • Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace.” • Galatians 3:26 echoes, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” • Faith here is not mere intellectual assent; it is reliance—resting our weight on Christ’s finished work rather than any merit of our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). we may enter God’s presence The phrase highlights privilege: believers can now approach the throne room that was once barred. • Hebrews 10:19-22 celebrates, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a sincere heart.” • 1 Peter 3:18 affirms, “For Christ also suffered once for sins… to bring you to God.” • Where Old Testament priests alone entered the Holy of Holies once a year (Leviticus 16), in Christ every believer becomes “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) with continual access. with boldness and confidence Not only is access granted; it is granted with fearless assurance. • Hebrews 4:16 invites, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” • 1 John 4:17-18 notes that perfect love drives out fear, enabling us to stand unafraid in God’s presence. • This boldness is never arrogance; it rests on Christ’s merit, not ours. Because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), we come free of shame, yet filled with reverent awe. summary Ephesians 3:12 teaches that union with Christ (“In Him”) and personal trust in Him (“through faith in Him”) open the way for every believer to step into the very presence of God. This access is not tentative but marked by boldness and confidence, grounded solely in the atoning work of Jesus. |
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