Jesus, Our Access

Devotional Reading: not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5 KJV

In the world of customs and immigration, there is only one thing that matters: your passport, not even your level of work experience. Likewise, in the kingdom of God, there is only one name that matters: Jesus! Never your good deeds. He said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.” He is our access.

Am I suggesting that good behavior is not necessary? What I am suggesting is that good behavior—even best behavior—is not good enough. We live in a pressurized world of so much unfinished business: school, work, bills, etc. We oftentimes transfer similar to-do lists to our spiritual lives. But in this kingdom, these don’t work. Colossians 2:23 would remind us that these, “…lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” What we need is Jesus!

Jesus has succeeded precisely where we failed. To the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8, Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” The power to live sin-free is found in “no condemnation,” and “no condemnation” is the message of the cross. (Rom. 8:1)

For those of you who either don’t know Jesus or who have been struggling with your own performance, may the joy of Jesus’ finished work be yours today! He is our confidence in approaching God.

Prayer and Confession
I’m in Christ not condemned
I’m free to live for Christ, never to be held back by my guilt. Halleluyah!

Further Reading: John 8, Ephesians 2:6-9