Access to God: What the Bible Teaches About Drawing Near Through Jesus Christ

Access to God: What the Bible Teaches About Drawing Near Through Jesus Christ

Introduction

One of the most remarkable truths in the entire Bible is that sinful people can have direct access to a holy God. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals God's desire to dwell with His people while also demonstrating that sin creates a barrier between humanity and its Creator. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ removed that barrier through His death and resurrection.

Many people wonder whether they are worthy enough to approach God. Others believe they need a priest, religious rituals, or good works to gain God's acceptance. The Bible presents a different message. It teaches that access to God is a gift of grace made possible through Jesus Christ alone.

This article explores what Scripture teaches about access to God, why it matters, and how believers can confidently draw near to the Father.

Humanity's Separation from God

The story begins with fellowship.

Adam and Eve enjoyed unhindered communion with God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2–3). God's presence was their joy. However, when sin entered the world through disobedience, that fellowship was broken.

Isaiah describes the problem clearly:

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

— Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

Sin is not merely making mistakes. It is rebellion against God's holiness. Because God is perfectly righteous, sinful humanity cannot enter His presence on its own merit.

Paul reinforces this truth:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

— Romans 3:23

Without God's intervention, mankind remains spiritually separated from Him.

The Old Testament Picture of Access to God

Throughout the Old Testament, God revealed both His holiness and His desire to dwell among His people.

The Tabernacle and later the Temple beautifully illustrated this relationship.

Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once each year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Even then, he entered with sacrificial blood offered for sins.

A thick veil separated God's presence from the rest of the people, reminding Israel that sin prevented unrestricted access.

Hebrews explains:

"The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still functioning."

— Hebrews 9:8

These ceremonies were never God's final solution. They pointed forward to the coming Messiah.

Jesus Christ Opened the Way

Everything changed at the cross.

When Jesus died, Matthew records an extraordinary event:

"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."

— Matthew 27:51

This was no ordinary occurrence.

The veil separating humanity from God's presence was torn by God Himself, symbolizing that Jesus had opened the way into the Father's presence.

Hebrews explains this incredible reality:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, 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..."

— Hebrews 10:19–20

Jesus did not simply improve our relationship with God.

He completely removed the barrier.

His sacrifice was sufficient once for all.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."

— 1 Peter 3:18

The purpose of the cross was reconciliation.

Jesus brings sinners into fellowship with God.

Jesus Is the Only Way to the Father

The Bible speaks clearly about access to God.

It comes exclusively through Jesus Christ.

Jesus declared:

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

— John 14:6

This statement leaves no room for alternative paths to God.

Salvation is not found through religion, morality, philosophy, or personal effort.

Peter proclaimed the same truth:

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

— Acts 4:12

Access to God rests entirely upon the person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

Access to God Is by Grace Through Faith

No one earns entrance into God's presence.

Paul writes:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

— Ephesians 2:8–9

Grace means God's undeserved favor.

Faith means trusting completely in Christ rather than ourselves.

Because salvation is God's gift, believers approach Him with gratitude rather than fear.

Romans declares:

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."

— Romans 5:1–2

Notice that our access comes through Christ.

He is both the Savior who reconciles us and the mediator who continually represents us before the Father.

The Privilege of Prayer

One of the greatest expressions of access to God is prayer.

Believers do not pray hoping God might listen.

They pray knowing they are welcomed because of Christ.

Hebrews encourages Christians:

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

— Hebrews 4:16

Confidence does not mean arrogance.

It means humble assurance based upon Jesus' righteousness.

Prayer becomes a privilege rather than an obligation.

Whether expressing praise, confession, thanksgiving, or requests, believers can come directly to their Heavenly Father.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

"Our Father in heaven..."

— Matthew 6:9

This intimate relationship is possible because Christ has made us children of God.

We Have One Mediator

Scripture teaches that Jesus alone serves as the mediator between God and humanity.

Paul writes:

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."

— 1 Timothy 2:5

Because Christ is our perfect High Priest, believers do not require another human mediator to approach God.

Jesus continually intercedes for His people.

Hebrews says:

"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

— Hebrews 7:25

What wonderful assurance!

Our Savior not only secured our access to God but continually represents us before the Father.

Living in God's Presence

Access to God is more than a future promise.

It transforms everyday life.

Because believers belong to Christ, they are invited into ongoing fellowship with God.

James encourages:

"Come near to God and he will come near to you."

— James 4:8

Jesus also invites believers to remain in close relationship with Him.

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you."

— John 15:4

Daily fellowship includes:

• Reading God's Word
• Prayer
• Worship
• Obedience
• Fellowship with other believers
• Confession and repentance
• Dependence upon the Holy Spirit

These practices do not earn access to God.

Rather, they help believers enjoy the relationship already secured through Christ.

Our Identity as Children of God

Access to God also changes our identity.

John writes:

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

— 1 John 3:1

Believers are no longer strangers.

Paul explains:

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household."

— Ephesians 2:19

Because we belong to God's family, we can approach Him with confidence, reverence, and love.

Access to God Gives Confidence in Every Season

Life brings joy, sorrow, uncertainty, and suffering.

Yet every circumstance reminds believers of one unchanging truth:

God remains accessible.

Whether facing grief, illness, temptation, or difficult decisions, Christians never stand alone.

Psalm 46:1 reminds us:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Paul also assures believers:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

— Philippians 4:6

Because Christ has opened the way, every believer has continual access to the Father's grace, wisdom, comfort, and strength.

Common Misunderstandings About Access to God

Several misconceptions often arise regarding access to God.

You must clean yourself up before coming to God.

Scripture teaches the opposite. Christ invites sinners to come to Him in repentance and faith.

Good works earn God's acceptance.

Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the basis of it (Ephesians 2:10).

God only listens when we've had a good week spiritually.

Our confidence rests in Christ's righteousness, not our performance.

Only certain Christians have special access.

Every believer has equal access to the Father through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26–29; Ephesians 3:12).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we have access to God?

The Bible teaches that access to God comes through Jesus Christ alone. His death and resurrection removed the barrier of sin and reconciled believers to the Father.

Can anyone come to God?

Yes. Everyone is invited to repent and believe the gospel. Those who place their faith in Christ receive forgiveness and become children of God (John 1:12).

Why is Jesus the only way to God?

Jesus alone lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again. He alone is the perfect sacrifice and the only mediator between God and humanity.

Can Christians approach God with confidence?

Yes. Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to approach God's throne of grace confidently because Christ has secured their acceptance.

Does prayer give us access to God?

Prayer is one expression of the access believers already possess through Jesus Christ. Christians pray because they have been welcomed into God's presence by grace.

Final Thoughts

Access to God is one of the greatest blessings of the gospel. What was impossible because of sin has become possible through the finished work of Jesus Christ. The torn temple veil stands as a powerful reminder that the way to the Father has been opened.

Believers no longer live at a distance from God. Through faith in Christ, they are forgiven, adopted into God's family, and invited to approach Him with confidence, reverence, and joy.

May we never take this privilege for granted. Instead, let us draw near daily, trusting completely in the One who said:

"Whoever comes to me I will never drive away."

— John 6:37

Our access to God is not based on our goodness but on the perfect righteousness and saving work of Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we can confidently draw near to the Father today and forever.